Bryan PD urges safety as thousands of students come into town, giving more opportunities for thieves

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) – Twelve thousand freshmen are coming into town to start the new school year at Texas A&M and Blinn College.

More people coming in means more people head to the grocery store, and apartment complexes fill back up. Bryan Police Department says there are more opportunities for items to be stolen and cars to be broken into.

“Apartment complexes are fixing to fill back up,” BPD Officer Seth Waller said. “Parking lots are going to be full; campuses are going to be full. So with that, we see the trends in the criminals targeting these areas and vehicles that get left unlocked.”

That’s why the department is reminding people to practice safe habits, like locking your doors and removing personal items from vehicles.

“If you see something, say something. Let us know. Call us; that way we can prevent these vehicle burglaries,” Waller said.

Parker Christ is an incoming freshman at Texas A&M, and he’s thinking ahead to keep his belongings safe.

“I did put an air tag on my car keys so if I ever lose my car keys I can just use the find my iPhone app. As well as, I put an air tag inside my car, so if someone happens to steal my entire car, I know where they’ve driven it off to,” Christ said.

As students move into their dorms or apartments they’re also carrying big-ticket items that can make them a target.

“There’s certainly some stuff that I want to keep safe,” Christ said. “Like my laptop, for sure, I mean, it’s brand new. And a lot of different electronics I got for college I’m nervous about.

Police say parking in a lit area at night, installing security cameras like a ring doorbell and ensuring that gates at apartment complexes work adds an extra layer of protection.

Always be aware of your surroundings; if you see something, say something.

“So call, you’re not going to be bothering us,” Waller said. “We are open all the time. At least we can come out and check on it and talk to somebody who doesn’t follow you into an apartment complex who doesn’t live there and see why they’re there.”

You can always call Bryan PD’s non-emergency line at 979-361-3888 to have an officer come out and patrol your area. For emergencies, call 911.