Jenny Ries says she and her 11 roommates feel violated.

The house they’re renting just blocks from the Kansas University campus was broken into not once but twice in the past few days. Two laptop computers were stolen, four doors were broken down and a window was shattered.

Ries, a KU senior from Apple Valley, Minn., said it could have been even worse. “We think we caught them in the act the second time because they didn’t get the job done,” she said.

As students return to school, police say they should be vigilant about safeguarding themselves and their property.

Ries’ laptop was the first one stolen, in the initial break-in. She said she and her roommates, all members of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, left a window unlocked when they went to participate in recruitment week events. Someone lifted the window and made off with her computer.

For Ries, a journalism major, the computer is essential to her schoolwork.

The next night, Saturday, a window was shattered and another laptop was taken. A 37-inch plasma TV was stolen from the house next door, home to more Kappa Kappa Gamma women.

Mackenzie McClelland, a San Diego senior who is one of Ries’ roommates, said she’s convinced someone watched her for the past week and learned the recruitment week schedule, which kept the women out of their home for 14 hours a day. “We just feel that we’ve been violated. It’s a violation of our privacy,” she said. “It’s really sad that this world we’re living in, we have to be so suspicious.”

But the women are taking steps so that they won’t be victims again. In addition to simple steps like placing dowel rods in sliding doors and windows, McClelland also purchased motion detectors from a local hardware store. Ries said a “hard-core security system” would be installed soon.

Sgt. Paul Fellers, Lawrence police spokesman, said prevention, like the steps taken by the women, is the best action to take.

“Certainly, in our community, it’s wise to lock your apartments and vehicles,” he said. “Keep your valuables out of sight.”

If residents see someone suspicious in the neighborhood, Fellers said police want to know. “We’ll be glad to come and check out the individual and make sure they’re not casing the area,” he said.