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Wednesday, May 15, 2024

UF's campus burglaries have more than tripled from 2007 to 2008.

The University Police Department reported 41 burglaries in 2008, while only 13 were reported in 2007.

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and Marston Science Library had the most burglaries in 2008, according to recent crime statistics released by UPD.

Campus residential areas saw an increase too. While no burglaries were reported in 2007, there were 12 cases documented in 2008. Among the most burglarized were the Keys and Springs residential complexes, according to UPD's annual "UF Together for a Safe Campus 2009" newsletter.

Although dorms haven't been the most targeted areas, electronics, computers and books were reported stolen.

Offices have also been burglarized, Lt. Robert Wagner said.

"Most of the time there is no forced entry, which means the burglars usually had access," he said.

UPD officer Pablo deJesus added the burglars could have gained entry by following people into dorms, or by entering a door that was left open, neither of which would show forced entry.

"The economic strain and the recession are two reasons that there has been an increase in these burglaries," deJesus said. "Because people are finding it harder to make ends meet, they turn to other modes of financial gain, such as crime."

However, the increase in burglaries in 2008 is not cause for alarm. Reports show 17 burglaries have occurred since January 2009, six of which happened in parking garages.

"UFPD sees that although burglary rates have tripled, they were so low to begin with in 2007, with only 13, that 41 total for all of 2008 isn't a huge amount for one whole year," Wagner said.

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