According to Sgt. Jon Varley of the Oxford Police Department (OPD), students and Oxford residents took the necessary precautions to avoid break-ins and burglaries in their vacant homes over winter break.

“Over 300 houses signed up for vacant house check and not one of these homes were broken into over the break,” Varley said. “From what we can tell the number of break-ins was about normal for winter break and it seems that precautions were taken.”

OPD is still investigating a burglary at Hawks Landing on Brown Road where the intruder may have gained access through the front door, according to Varley.

As students returned to campus over the weekend, many victims reported damage to their cars to OPD.

“In the north end of Oxford, some people that seem to think that damaging people’s vehicles on their way home from Uptown or wherever they were, is a fun thing to do,” Varley said. “We have received reports ranging from broken windows, damaged doors, slashed tires and outside mirrors being broken off.”

Varley reminded everyone to lock their doors and windows when they are away from home.