Campus Theft Tends to Rise at Semester End

Staff Writer

   With the end of the semester three weeks away, many University of Arkansas-Monticello students study hard while others utilize this time to steal valuable items. 

   Some students see this time as a perfect opportunity to steal considering campus closes soon and most of these students travel back home.

   As Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jay Hughes said, colleagues and students need to lock their vehicles, rooms, offices and to not leave personal or valuable items out of sight. Thieves move quickly, and if items lay about unattended, they may move quickly out of your possession. Students and faculty should remain cognizant of their personal property and maintain the responsibility of taking the necessary precautions to keep their valuables safe.

   Items that tend to disappear into thieving hands include textbooks, since book buy-back occurs soon, and cell phones, laptops and other valuable technology. Purses, wallets, and other smaller items become target items since thieves may grasp those quickly and conceal them easily. Both Director of Public Safety John Kidwell and UAM Bookstore Manager Billy Hogue concluded that textbooks get stolen the most.

   Kidwell said he encourages students to ”put their name in their books which helps to recover it easier,” and to “lock their doors and not to leave book bags around.”

   The Bookstore retains the ability to flag stolen books by their ISBN number. The informations goes into their system so when books return for buy back and get scanned, the bookstore recieves a notification indicating the theft of the book. This leads to one person turned over to Public Safety and the other with the chance to get their book back. 

   Hogue said, “Students should write their name in the cover and find a specific page number and write their name in the binding.” Markings in the books need to be distinct so only the owner can identify it. Also reports of theft need immediate notification to Public Safety always and the Bookstore, if it involves textbooks.

   Students and faculty should stay alert and aware of their surroundings and know the differences between the types of theft. The 2010 Annual Security Report and Fire Safety Report of UAM define robbery, burglary and motor vehicle theft through the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act.

   When a person commits a robbery they take or attempt to take anything of value from the care, custody or control of their victim by force, the threat of force or violence or by putting the victim in fear. Burglary simply involves the perpetrator entering a structure unlawfully to commit a felony or theft. Motor vehicle theft means a person steals or attempts to steal another’s vehicle.

   In 2009, UAM reported a total of eight larceny/theft offenses, five burglary offenses, two motor vehicle theft offenses and no robberies on campus. These reports may not include every attempt or success of the crimes conducted on campus. 

   In comparison, another Arkansas school, Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia, report in its 2009 Crime Statistic Report a total of two motor vehicle thefts, 15 non-forcible burglaries and zero robberies concluded their year.

   Major offenses such as these cause serious problems. UAM’s Department of Public Safety reports these to the local police department. After that an investigation involving both forces takes place. If prosecuted for the criminal offenses, the perpetrators could face jail time depending on the severity of their crime. Theft of property stands as a Class B, C or D felony or an A misdemeanor depending on the value of stolen goods, what it consists of and actions conducted by the perpetrator. Residential burglary and commercial burglary warrant a Class B and C felony respectively. Breaking and entering yields a Class D felony and robbery a Class B felony.

   If you witness any suspicious activity, contact the Department of Public Safety at 460-1000. Students who live close by campus can seek help at the above number as well.

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.

©The Voice 2011