For Western students, back to school can also mean back on the alert.

Last week, there were about 10 different car break-ins at The Registry Apartments, said Barry Pruitt, public information officer for the Bowling Green Police Department.

“The first week students were back in school, they just started getting slammed,” he said.

Officials from the Registry declined to comment on the break-ins.

There were eight incidents reported over the entire course of Winter Break, according to the Western Police media log.

Students need to be especially careful with their belongings when coming back after the holidays, Pruitt said.

He said that while the city police aren’t normally involved with crime on campus, they often deal with break-ins in the surrounding areas.

The primary thing students can do to prevent car theft is to keep their doors locked at all times, Pruitt said.

Students’ cars are often targets because of the electronics, backpacks and checkbooks they keep in plain view, he said.

“That’s just inviting someone to come along and steal all your stuff,” Pruitt said. “Which car would you rather steal from, a college student’s car or your grandmother’s car?”

Stealing property from vehicles is a crime of opportunity, said Rafael Casas, crime prevention training sergeant for campus police.

“Don’t leave valuable stuff out where people can see it,” he said. “Don’t give people the temptation. It’s very easy to break a window.”

Pruitt also cautioned students not to drive around with loud music playing, which advertises expensive stereo systems.

Offenses during Winter Break included theft, assault and drug use, according to the log.

The University Bookstore also reported a $437.82 charge paid for with a stolen credit card, and a projector was stolen from Grise Hall, according to the log.

Many of the crimes committed during Winter Break were not affiliated with Western students, said Maj. Mike Wallace, field operations commander.

During break when students are gone, the dorms are locked and cars are gone from the parking lots, he said.

Western police are more likely to stop and question people on campus during break while everything is shut down, Wallace said.

There are always at least two officers patrolling campus during Winter Break, Casas said. There are three to four patrolling at any time during the semester.