MANOA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) -
Officials have beefed up
campus security at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa with additional personnel
and increased patrolling after five break-ins or burglaries were reported over the
last three weeks.
"Pretty much it seems
like they're almost coming daily now," said Nicholas James, a research
assistant in Cellular Molecular Biology, referring to the campus security alert
emails he receives. "It just seems like
there's been tons – a lot just over the past couple of weeks."
Some have speculated the
up tick in break-ins during the winter break are crimes of opportunity because there
are fewer people on campus.
"Our population is
low, however, we have increased our patrols.
We've been working with the community going door-to-door, particularly
with the folks that have already experienced some break-ins and just reminding
them we're here on campus 24/7 and we're able to respond and asking them to
contact us," explained UH Manoa Campus Security Captain Alberta Pukahi.
Campus security officials
say it's unclear if the incidents are related.
The most recent burglary
happened this past Sunday, January 5, around 3:30 in the afternoon at Kau'iokahaloa
Iki, the faculty housing apartment, off Lowrey Avenue.
"We got an email from
our building supervisor manager basically saying somebody had broken in on a
ground floor near the window of the kitchen and had removed the panes and cut
out the screen and gotten in and stole cash and jewelry and a bunch of other
stuff," described Lisa Uperesa, an Assistant Professor in Ethnic Studies
and Sociology, who lives there.
On December 30, a break-in
was reported at Hale Noelani – also in the middle of the day. The culprit made off with some jewelry. Hale Tuahine, across from the Manoa Shopping
Center, was also hit on December 21, after someone slipped through a window. Hundreds of dollars worth of power tools were
reported stolen from the School of Architecture the day after Christmas.
"A couple of drills
were taken from a shop," Capt. Pukahi explained, before adding, "No one saw
it. They [employees] returned to work
and found the break in."
Honolulu Police are
investigating each of the incidents and tell Hawaii News Now no arrests have
been made and no suspects have been identified.
One person was apprehended
on December 24 after a break-in at the UH Press office on Kolowalu Street the
day before, but officials don't believe he's responsible for the other
burglaries.
"He admitted to being
in some of the buildings for the most part he was looking for a place to stay –
a warm place and something to eat," described Capt. Pukahi.
Classes resume on Monday,
January 13 and officials are asking people to be aware of their surroundings –
if they see something, say something and be prepared.
"My friends – we talk
about that and we just try to remind each other to be careful and lock the
door, the windows," said UH Manoa grad student Imelda, who lives on
campus.
In the meantime, Campus
Security officers have been going door- to-door with sticker fliers reminding
faculty, staff and students they are the eyes and ears that help keep the area
safe.
To report suspicious
behavior or for additional crime prevention information, contact UH Manoa
Campus Security & Emergency Management at # (808) 956-6911.
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