The increase in criminal activity is always expected to increase during the holiday season. Larger purchases are made with a higher monetary value at risk.
Chief Curtis Davis of the Farmville Police Department said that shoplifting, larcenies and occasionally some breaking and entering are all frequently seen during the holiday season.
“There is not a significant measureable trend… (it) all depends on the opportunity,” said Davis.
When it comes to the increase of the crime rate, Davis explained how the rate fluctuates from year to year.
“(It) goes from year to year, depending on what’s happened, and how the economy is...” Davis added that this is due to the fact it becomes more common to “see a lot more folks out shopping with more vehicles with items inside of them, with expensive items providing those opportunities.”
According to the U.S. Census in 2010, the Farmville population was 8,216, while Roanoke’s population sat at 99,428.
Comparing Farmville to Roanoke, Davis said, “It (Farmville) is a smaller scale, and certainly it has a lot to do with how much the community is vested in reducing crime.”
Chief Davis explained that crime in Farmville is noticed more quickly than in Roanoke due to the sizes of the two in comparison.
“Obviously there is attention drawn to crimes quicker here than in a larger city. (It’s) more stressful when we hear about one (crime) or see one because they don’t occur as frequently, which is a good thing,” said Davis.
Because most students will be traveling home during the holiday break, Chief Davis said that “it is no secret that the normal housing is unoccupied.”
In order to keep any valuables inside the residence safe, Davis suggested that if there is someone around the area, you could have them check on the residence and make sure everything is secure.
Davis stated that the key concept to remember in making sure that students and faculty are safe during the holiday season is awareness.
This holiday season, remember to lock your doors, use lights, store your packages properly and travel in groups.
