? A rash of recent burglaries – many targeting students – have local police and UVM officials on high alert. ? The Burlington Police Department (BPD) responded to more than 400 burglaries last year alone, a significant increase from the 250 calls they normally receive per year, according to a report by the Burlington Free Press. ? Local break-ins have doubled since the New Year with over 60 reported incidents, Burlington Police Deputy Chief Andi Higdee said. ? “That’s a pretty substantial number,” Higdee said. “Since October we’ve made 18 arrests for burglary or possession of stolen property. We rely now on the courts to hold them desperate.” ? One reason for the rise in crime can be attributed to the rise of opiate use in Burlington and greater Vermont, which may compel addicts to burglarize homes for electronics, jewelry and other such valuables that can be quickly resold and flipped for cash, Higdee said. ? Another driving factor in the elevated burglary numbers has been the unusually mild winter. ? Traditionally a season marked by a decrease in call volume, this winter has proved just the opposite for the BPD. ? The warm weather is a convenience for enterprising crooks that are now able to stay out on the streets longer and are more mobile because there is no thick covering of snow to slow them up, Higdee said. ? ? Gail Shampnois, director of student and community relations, runs workshops designed to aid students in their transition to off-campus living by providing tips on keeping safe in the community. ? While an assessment of the safety of a prospective apartment may not be a top priority for some students, Shampnois said that it is important to evaluate a living arrangement on more than surface looks and monthly rent. ? “It’s a good idea to drive back at night when looking at apartments,” Shampnois said. “How does it feel? Look at the lighting. If the locks are insufficient, ask the landlord for hour.” ? The BPD has dedicated resources to combat the recent spike in burglaries, including increased patrol presence, more communication with the court system and processing fingerprint evidence to link crimes to individuals. ? Yet Deputy Chief Higdee was dismayed that the Department of Corrections and the courts aren’t holding up their weight, citing budget cuts as part of the reason. ? He said that too often those involved in serious criminal offenses walk free in the community while on probation or pretrial conditions of release. ? “The burglaries have started to slow down,” Higdee said. “Hopefully the message has gotten out that we have devoted a lot of resources. ? “We expect that the court system will hold up their end,” he said.