By Kayla Pickrell

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Recent spikes in theft crimes are related to students arriving on campus, UK Police Chief Joe Monroe said Thursday.

Three robberies occured near campus in August, all involving UK students.

Monroe said the No. 1 crime on campus is theft.

“When students come back, crime increases because the population swells,” Monroe said.

He also said the crime could be related to new students never living on their own before, thus not as worried about security.

“There needs to be more law enforcement because it’s scary,” Caitlin Dorton, a biology senior, said.

Dorton lives in Newtown Crossing, near one of the robberies.

“I am just worried for when the next robbery will be and where,” she said.

Because of the rise in crime, Monroe said UK Police is increasing staff on the streets, as well as realigning schedules.

“You’re going to see things pop up that are not the norm when school starts,” he said.

Monroe said the best thing to do is be aware of surroundings. He said to use the buddy system at all times.

One thing robbers look for is technology.

“Don’t text and walk and don’t listen to your headphones when walking by yourself,” Monroe said. “Once you do either of those, you lose the awareness of your surroundings.”

Monroe said other electronics they look for are laptops because they are left in dorms or the library without being watched or locked up.

“Those are the easiest to snatch,” he said.

If a student is being stolen from, Monroe said safety is priority No. 1.

“If you get in a situation where safety means complying, do so,” he said. “We don’t advocate you to chase after them.”

Resources for students are SafeCats and OnDemand Bus, which can pick them up if needed.

Monroe also recommends calling UK Police at 859-257-8573 for help getting an escort.

“There are a lot of resources out there underutilized,” he said.

Recent Crimes

The three robberies listed below took place in August near campus. Other robberies occurred involving UK students that did not take place on campus.

Aug. 5 — About 2:30 a.m. on the 600 block of South Limestone, a sexual assault and robbery took place, causing serious injury to a female UK student. The suspect is an unknown male. Lexington police are investigating the incident.

Aug. 19 — About 11:40 p.m., a robbery occurred in the area of Newtown Crossing Apartments. Two men with shirts covering their faces approached a UK student and robbed him of personal property. One suspect had a handgun.

Aug. 22 — About 6:40 p.m., a female UK student was robbed of her cellphone while walking on Complex Drive near the Johnson Student Recreation Center.