Wanted. A two-bedroom apartment with no possible gunpoint escapades, no nylon wearing burglars, and no termites.

Seven residential burglaries and four motor vehicle burglaries have stricken the campus area since August 24, said Lt. Brad Yohnka, of the Champaign Police Department.

Katherine Whelchel, an officer of the Champaign Police Department and a former University student, has recently enacted a campus burglary prevention program to spread basic burglary prevention tips to students living in apartments, Yohnka said.

“It is up to each individual to protect themselves,” he added.

Locking your doors and windows, knowing your neighbors, reporting suspicious activity and attaining renter’s insurance comprises the list of precautionary measures.

A mass e-mail illustrating these prevention tips, as well as the informative pamphlet, was delivered to the students living in apartment buildings owned by JSM, Campus Property Management, and Ramshaw Real Estate.

Yohnka said that apartments are more at risk for thefts and burglaries than dormitory buildings. Dorms represent an isolated environment, so random people are not likely to be wandering around the residence halls, Yohnka added.

“It’s pretty easy to get in any of the (apartment) buildings,” said Luke Gacek, junior in Engineering. “Once you’re in, you’re in.”

Some of the apartments around campus have limited access where only the tenants have the key, but it depends on the building.

Michael Jay, director of public relations and communications for Campus Management Property, said the real estate company and Champaign Police Department are working together for the safety of the students.

“I just think that they (students) can make their own safety on a higher level,” Jay said.

Whelchel proposed giving tenants of apartments a 30-minute presentation on burglary prevention tips, but students have yet to see it, Jay said.

“I haven’t heard of any (burglaries), but that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened,” Jay said.

Being aware of surroundings, not walking alone at night, and locking doors and windows are techniques to prevent burglaries and thefts.

“If you live on the first floor, your door is pretty much on the street,” said Clair Bryan, junior in LAS, who lives in an MHM Properties apartment. “Anyone could get in.”

Some University students say safety measures should be common sense to everyone.

“Be smart. Be safe,” Gacek said. “Kids should know what to do.”