Every so often, Le Moyne College students will receive emails from Campus Security noting criminal activity that has occurred on or near campus. Just this semester, two emails have already alerted students to car thefts and a suspicious person in the Salt Springs neighborhood.

Car thefts are of particular concern to students, with four occurring since January — three from on campus and one from an off campus residence.

“The targeted cars over the past two years are almost exclusively Kias and Huyndais, consistent with the pattern increase in stolen vehicles throughout Onondaga County and nationally,” Head of Security Derek McGork stated.

There is a software fix available for these vehicles that makes it difficult for them to be hijacked and stolen. Campus Security highly recommends students with these vehicles contact Kia and Hyundai to make the necessary fix.

As for the suspicious person detained on Sept. 18, the individual is just one of several who have been involved in recent attempted burglaries at off campus housing. The whole of Onondaga County has seen an uptick in these types of crimes, with the perpetrators aiming to get their hands on purses, credit cards, and car keys.

The residences that were affected by individuals attempting to break in were seen to have damage to doors and screens. Luckily, McGork says, “There haven’t been any successful burglaries this year” and “…the doors and windows were closed and locked…so no entry was gained.”

Every year, Le Moyne makes improvements to its campus safety measures. Lighting has been added and improved, ground floor windows have been equipped with window stops and security screens, and new warning systems have been put in place, including the Heights Alert system and the Le Moyne SAFE app.

Students are encouraged to walk in well lit areas, travel with friends, lock both car and residence windows and doors, and contact Campus Security with any questions or concerns.