Even without the unusually high occurrence of theft last spring, thousands of dollars worth of possessions are stolen each year. One laptop alone can range from $700 to over $1000 and laptops are regularly stolen. Other frequently stolen goods include video game consoles and equipment, phones, electronic devices such as iPods and calculators and textbooks.
By Aja Hannah
Staff Writer
Even without the unusually high occurrence of theft last spring, thousands of dollars worth of possessions are stolen each year. One laptop alone can range from $700 to over $1000 and laptops are regularly stolen. Other frequently stolen goods include video game consoles and equipment, phones, electronic devices such as iPods and calculators and textbooks.
With less expensive items, such as ID cards or USB flash drives, students could think they may have just misplaced their possessions. Even if this is the case, a student should report a lost or possibly stolen item. According to Dell, “Theft of property, lost, misplaced or delivered by mistake” is still counted by campus police and the crime statistics sheet produced each year as theft on campus. The more campus police know the better they are able to help the students.
If a student finds a lost item such as an mp3 player, that student has a responsibility to help the item find its rightful owner. If the student does not turn over the item to the police and they instead decide to take the “finders keepers” route, then that student can be charged with theft.
The victim, who had their personal items taken, decides the course of punishment for a student guilty of the theft. According to Dell, the guilty party either has to face a panel of students who decide the course of action or the guilty party can be charged with theft, arrested, and placed on trial before a real court and judge. Andrew Adams, a freshman and student whose computer and game console and controllers were stolen fall semester of 2008, said, “I would definitely have [the guilty party] arrested. They are criminals and I hope someone does catch them someday.”
Students report lost or stolen items to campus police by phone at (724) 830-4999 or by contacting the police staff at their office located in Lowe hall, room 117. It can take four to six weeks to catch the thief and prove their guilt. If a thief was not seen taking the item and cannot be identified, it is nearly impossible to catch them and have the stolen items returned safely.
For students who want to go a step further than just reporting lost or stolen items to campus police, Griffins Lair also offers a Lost and Found section where students can post descriptions of the items. Students who have information about the items can click on the posts to find contact information. “It’s a good thing,” said Dell. Students are taking responsibility and are extending communication to help return possessions to their rightful owners.
Dell said that the best way for a student to keep their stuff safe is to “lock their doors. It would decrease theft on campus by 85 – 90 percent.” Between 2006 and 2007 burglary has doubled on campus and in the dorms. In 2007, 43 thefts were reported on campus.
Heather Donovan, a sophomore, said it is just natural for her to lock her doors and make sure her stuff is secure before she leaves her room. “If I have valuables left out, I make sure to tuck them away. I take responsibility for my belongings. I’m in college,” she said.
Cody Naylor, a freshman at SHU, has a chest in his room that has a lock on it. He said, “I keep stuff that I really care about in there.”
Adams said, “[Now] I have a combination lock for my laptop that makes it pretty safe. Also, I just don’t trust anyone, which is sad, but I would rather be a little introverted than out of another $1000.”
Just because something is still in your possession, it doesn’t mean it is safe. Vandalism is another big crime on campus. With a sigh, Dell said that the only thing a student can do to prevent vandalism is to, “be aware of your surroundings.”
Tips to keep stuff safe:
• Use a combination lock that secures your laptop to your desk or another stationary object.
• Use a password to lock your computer.
• Keep a tracking device on your computer.
• Close and lock the windows of your room when you leave especially if you live on the first floor.
• Keep your ID and your key in separate places so that if you lose one it is less likely that you will lose the other.
• When you leave for break, do not leave valuables in your dorm.
• Do not hold the door open for strangers who don’t live in your dorm.
• Do not leave your laptop or any valuables in any public space, such as the library or a lab room, while you step out.
• Write your name or tag your items so that you can identify them.
• Keep contact information on some of your items so that if you lose them they may be returned.
• Sign in friends with the Desk Security Assistant (DSA) when visiting after 8 p.m.
• Take precaution when volunteering to watch other people’s stuff because you are held responsible if something happens