Quincy University students and security are now taking extra precautions around campus parking lots after recent reports of vehicle break-ins and theft.

“The part where I’m unsure is that people are still feeling unsafe, people are still getting their cars broken into,” Sophia Sosa, junior at QU, said. “That’s just something we shouldn’t have to deal with.”

Since July 31, students have reported 17 incidents of vehicle break-ins or theft, attempted thefts, and even one successful vehicle theft. According to an email sent out by university officials, most of these crimes have taken place in Lot C and Lot D, with majority of them occurring between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m.

Though not every theft has been successful, several have caused severe damage to vehicles. There are risks that come with both locking your vehicle and keeping it unlocked. Leaving a vehicle unlocked increases the chances of someone entering it, however, locking it may increase the chances of forced entry, resulting in damage.

The recent reports of break-ins have some students second-guessing themselves and whether or not they are doing enough to protect their vehicles.

“Sometimes when I lock my car and get back to my room I think to myself, ‘Did I lock my car?'”, Tyler Wojcik, junior at QU, said. “It makes me overthink a little bit. I think at the end of the day if we all take the right steps, our cars should be fine.”

The Quincy Police Department is also actively investigating. Between QU Security and QPD, they have reviewed security footage and been able to identify patterns and suspects. According to QPD’s investigations, QU student vehicles are not the only targets of these crimes. According to the email sent out to students, there are at least two groups involved in similar crimes across Quincy.

Police have arrested at least six individuals, with a majority of them being juveniles who cannot be held for extended periods of time due to legal procedures.

QU Security is working to improve safety measures on and around campus, ensuring the safety of students and protection of their vehicles.

“In addition to our regular security patrols, we have increased patrols of the parking lots in particular, as well as of the campus as a whole,” Rob Copely, director of campus safety and security, said. “We have also requested that the Quincy Police Department increase its presence around campus, and they have agreed to do so, particularly during nighttime hours.”

Students are encouraged to take valuable belongings out of vehicles, never leave keys inside of vehicles, and report any suspicious activity to campus security. Suspicious activity could look like anyone wearing a face mask, hoodie, or gloves in a way that looks like it is intended to cover up an identity.

As investigations continue, campus security hopes that increased patrolling and police presence will help to prevent future incidents and restore students’ sense of safety on and around campus.