Welcome back students of all our institutions of higher learning in Washtenaw County. I hope you have a safe and successful school year. At the conclusion of this and every column I write, you will find these words: “Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.” 

Those words were written for everyone who reads this column, but they were first written for college students.

Part of your education in college is learning to get along on your own. That means you will be making decisions for yourself without the input of mom and dad. My best advice to you is the same as the Templar gave Indiana Jones: “Choose wisely.” 

The decisions you make, especially Thursday nights through Sunday mornings - the extreme “party” times - may impact you for the rest of your life. Socializing is certainly an important aspect of your education, but please use caution, be responsible, and consider how your actions affect those around you.

Lock it up alludes to the fact that you must lock your doors! Most of the burglaries in and around the University of Michigan campus involve thieves opening unlocked doors to steal what they want. 

This Ann Arbor Police Department photo shows a window a burglar used to gain entry to a house.

Many of these thieves in Ann Arbor are professionals. They have no known legitimate occupation and prey on the carelessness of their victims. The most popular items stolen are laptop computers, cell phones, wallets, purses, backpacks, loose change or currency, jewelry, iPods and MP3 players, PDAs, video game systems, GPS units, radar detectors (these thefts don’t break my cop heart), credit cards and anything else of value that is portable.   

By far the most devastating property loss to a student is a laptop computer with schoolwork on it. For this reason, all schoolwork and important information on a laptop should be backed up onto an external hard drive that's well-hidden. Password protect all of your devices so thieves won’t have easy access to your passwords, identity or financial information.

Don’t leave it unattended alludes to the fact that sneaky thieves are quick. Do not leave valuables in any public area unattended. Do not go to the bathroom or go for a beverage without taking your valuables with you or leaving them with a trusted friend. Thieves are sneaky, so someone you just met several minutes ago is not a trusted friend.

Be aware means you should always be aware of your surroundings. Trust your instincts. If you think something, someplace or someone is unsafe or dangerous, you are probably right. Walk in groups at night whenever possible. Better yet, call for campus transportation or a cab at night. If you are attacked or threatened, make as much noise as possible and cause a scene. You want to get other people’s attention so they can get you help.

While you are walking to and from class, try to memorize the locations of emergency phones lit with a blue light. If you are ever bored, take the battery out of your cell phone and practice pushing 911-SEND. These simple exercises may save someone’s life in an emergency.

Watch out for your neighbors alludes to your duty as a good citizen to keep your neighbors and their property safe. If you see a stranger enter your neighbor’s room, confront that person or call the police and other neighbors to assist you. If it turns out the “stranger” was your neighbor’s friend, the person should understand and appreciate the fact that you were looking out for their buddy. If the stranger is an assailant or a thief, you may save your neighbor’s life or property.

Being a good neighbor, friend or citizen is also about doing the right thing if someone is in danger. Never leave a friend who is too drunk or high alone. If he or she is unconscious, call for help right away. If they're too drunk or high to make good decisions, help them by getting them home or somewhere safe. Help them as you would want to be helped in similar circumstances.

Report all crimes and suspicious activity to the police immediately. Police can't help unless they know there is a problem.

Finally, remember to enjoy yourself while you're in college. In later years, you'll look back on your college days as some of the best and most carefree of your life. Just use your head and stay safe.

LOCK IT UP, DON’T LEAVE IT UNATTENDED, BE AWARE AND WATCH OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORS.

Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.