UHCL POLICE BULLETIN: Increase in Clear Lake Area Robberies
The following bulletin is from the UHCL Police Department.
Community Bulletin
CB 2013-009
Increase in Clear Lake Area Robberies
The UHCL Police has received reports of several off campus robberies at local Clear Lake apartment complexes involving several of our international students as victims. Fortunately, no one has been injured. Our research with the Houston Police Department has indicated there has been an uptick in Clear Lake armed robberies at apartment complexes along El Dorado (near HWY 3) and El Camino Real (near Kroger). There are also reports coming from Cyberonics Blvd. near Bay Area Blvd.
The robberies have been focused in apartment complex common areas and parking lots. The robberies are occurring between midnight and 4AM on weekdays. Typically, the assailants are lying in wait for victims to present themselves. Descriptions have been sketchy as the assailants have worn masks or bandanas. The assailants have brandished knives and guns during the robberies.
The UHCL Police urges its student and staff community to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings. A high percentage of crimes are incidents of opportunity. Often, we place ourselves at risk. The lifeblood of criminal activity contains three elements, called the Crime Triangle:
- Desire of a criminal to commit a crime.
- Target of the criminal’s desire.
- Opportunity for the crime to be committed.
We are limited in our ability to impact the first two elements. However, removing or reducing the criminal’s Opportunity is our best defense. Like a fire feeding on oxygen, crime feeds on opportunity. Some ways you can reduce your opportunity of being victimized include:
- Always walk in a group.
- Do not hang out in parking lots, especially at night.
- Stay away from poorly lit areas.
- Stay inside after midnight if at all possible, violent crime occurs disproportionately in the early hours.
- Pay attention to what and who is around you. Keep your head up and be alert.
- Always call the police when you suspect suspicious persons or activity.
- Do not hang out with strangers or people you do not know very well.
- Do not approach or allow yourself to be approached by strangers or strange vehicles.
The UHCL Police is working with its colleagues at the Houston Police Department to address the current situation. If you have information regarding these recent crimes, or you witness criminal or suspicious behavior, please call the UHCL Police Department at 281-283-2222.
Click here for more information or to contact the UHCL Police Department.
