University Police (UPD) are reminding students to lock their doors, roll up their windows and hide valuables when they park their cars after a recent spate of car break-ins and catalytic converter thefts on UB’s North Campus.
Two cars were broken into near Creekside Village this weekend, UB’s Campus Living office told residents in a mass email Tuesday evening.
Creekside Village also saw an apartment burglary late Sunday night, and an armed robbery just under three weeks earlier, on Oct. 3. UPD also reported a string of nine catalytic converter thefts in early September from residential parking lots on North Campus.
Catalytic converters — devices that remove toxic chemicals from engine exhaust — contain trace amounts of valuable metals, making them a popular target for thieves. Insurance claims for catalytic converter theft nationwide nearly quadrupled from 16,660 to 64,701 between 2019 and 2022, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an insurance industry group.
The volume of incidents is unusual in what UB has long touted as one of the safest communities in the nation: Last year, UPD reported no robberies and 14 burglaries across all of UB’s campuses.
University Police say they have increased patrols in residential parking lots on campus, and remind students to keep vehicle windows up, doors locked, and valuables out of sight. They also urge students to check on their vehicles and avoid parking for extended periods of time.
Students can report suspicious activity to UPD at 716-645-2222.
Hannah Rashad is the assistant news editor and can be reached hannah.rashad@ubspectrum.com
Hannah Rashad is an assistant news editor.
