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String of thefts hits SCSU
In a recent string of thefts on campus, Public Safety warned students and faculty to take some time to safe guard their personal and valuable property.
"We want to remind people of a heightened state of awareness regarding the theft of personal property," said Public Safety Director Miles J. Heckedorn III.
Heckedorn offered tips to secure and prevent theft from dorm rooms, bedrooms, cars and backpacks. He said that often times people think they are going to be right back and leave items unattended. Heckedorn pointed out other ways to retrieve stolen items.
"There are these numbers you can obtain from the police department," said Investigation Sergeant Jeff Atkinson. "Even if it's not of monetary value, but of personal value, you can use these numbers in case it's stolen to identify it."
These numbers are personal identification numbers that are registered with a national database, which, if placed on your items, can be used to trace the item back to you, regardless of where in the country it is found.
Many people believe that having the serial number, make and model is enough to help get the stolen items returned. By having these personal identification numbers or markings, students can assure that they can make a positive identification of items.
"Use some type of personal identification number on these items," Heckedorn said. "Use a driver's license number, or other personal number on them."
Items that have been hot tickets include car stereos, purses, CDs, cell phones, VCRs and cash. The personal identification numbers can be placed on the high value items, such as car stereos and cell phones.
However, these numbers aren't the only way to prevent you from becoming a victim of theft or larceny.
Atkinson pointed out that the first thing to do to prevent theft is to lock the doors of your car or room. The second thing to do is to place any item of value out of sight. Other preventatives methods include making sure all your windows are shut securely and using some type of identification marks in the same spot of each item. These marks can be personal codes of letters and/or numbers. They can either be scratched into the item or marked on by a permanent marker.
There are several ways to identify your items. Heckedorn noted putting the markings in a discrete location on the item, even if you have to remove the casing on a car stereo to put it inside. Taking photographs of these items also work.
"Does it take time to do these things? Yes," Heckedorn.said "But is it worth it? Yes. If you have a $500 stereo and your insurance deductible is only $200, then you still loose. So ask yourself, is this worth 10 minutes of your time?"
Heckedorn also pointed out that placing items in the trunk of the car in newer vehicles is not necessarily a safe idea. Many newer cars are trunk accessible through the back seat, thus if you leave your doors unlocked, the possibility of getting into the trunk increases.
By following these steps, the chances of being robbed decrease. The other ways include keeping an eye on all personal items, such as backpacks, purses and luggage, and by removing the faceplates on your car stereo and making the car look empty.
"It's important that everybody takes a little time to protect their valuables from being taken," Atkinson said.
Recently, a string of thefts from Atwood Center were those of backpacks that were simply left unattended. Other incidents of theft included the lack of locking doors or windows.
Some thefts have also occurred in Q-Lot dealing with personal property. Heckedorn recognizes that Q-Lot is the largest and most remote on campus, but he also reminds students that by taking these steps the likeliness of theft will be reduced.
"We want to minimize the opportunity of theft and larceny," said Heckedorn. "By minimizing the opportunity, we minimize the event of it. Be aware of your things at all times, not only at night in the dark. Subconsciously you should be able to control your property. Don't leave personal property unattended. It is estimated that 90 percent of all thefts on campuses and universities are one student from another."
Nissa Billmyer can be reached at: [email protected]
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