Nothing that you carry is worth your life.Nothing that you carry is worth your life.

City and campus police officials said students should be more careful and should take extra precautions in response to a string of robberies and thefts that have occurred around the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the East Side.

On March 1, several robbers mugged five victims around Riverside High School and UWM in a span of 45 minutes. Police said one of the robbers displayed a dark handgun in all of the incidents. Police said only one of the victims, which included a man and a woman who were walking together, was a UWM student.

Milwaukee Police Department Lt. Kim Steck said it is always good for students to double up at night when they are walking.

Thats the best defense, he said.

Steck said its best that students walk in a pack or with someone else. He said this would likely help to deter cause potential robbers and thieves from targeting them.

He said that if students are out and see someone suspicious, they should make efforts to avoid that person. He advises students to cross the street, avoid eye contact with the person and should not approach them.

But Steck declined to comment on any action the department would take, including whether there would be an increase in patrols around the East Side.

Several attempts to reach Anne E. Schwartz, department spokeswoman, have gone unanswered.

UWM Police said they are working in conjunction with the Milwaukee Police Department in order to help make the streets safe for students.

UWM Police Sgt. Art Koch recommended that students stay alert and if they see any suspects, call the police.

He said students should cooperate if someone has a weapon, and turn over items they are demanding.

Nothing that you carry is worth your life, he said.

He suggested that students only carry money in smaller amounts.

If out late, BOSS is a real good service that we provide, he said. If youre going to go out, youd want to remain sober so you stay alert.

Koch said the UWM Police are working closely with Milwaukee police and are trying to put extra patrols in the area.

Were all out there. Our priority is the safety of the students, he said.

UWM Police arrested two people on Feb. 22. Those two are alleged to be responsible for several vehicle break-ins that have occurred around UWM. Police said many of the break-ins occurred on North Maryland Avenue, East Edgewood Avenue and North Downer Avenue.

Police found the two after they responded to a call about a break-in that was in progress.

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