Students must be more responsible with belongings to prevent thefts

Instead of relying on cameras in the library to keep theft from happening, students need to take responsibility for their belongings.

Cameras are installed on the first and sixth floors of E.S. Bird Library, with plans to install more on the other floors. For many, this may seem like a good solution to solve the string of thefts so far this year in the library. Although cameras could benefit the situation, they may not solve the problem.

Placing cameras in and around the library may not actually prevent crimes, but may make them easier to solve once they’ve happened, said Vernon Thompson, investigations and crime preventions commander of the Department of Public Safety.

The solution to the string of thefts happening at Bird is not more cameras, though. More responsibility on the part of students utilizing the library in watching their belongings will be the best way to prevent crime.

Though it is unfortunate that students cannot leave their belongings unattended in the library or other places on campus for a moment to get a drink, use the restroom or find a textbook, it is the reality of the situation.

Students are always warned against leaving their belongings unattended. There are signs everywhere, including on bathroom walls, where Otto warns students it only takes eight seconds for someone to steal your stuff.

Sometimes students can get away with leaving their belongings unattended for a moment, which instills a false sense of security. But there have also been countless incidences of students leaving their belongings and finding them gone when they return.

Sometimes the culprit is caught and the belongings are returned, but that’s not always the case.

The simple reality of the situation is that students either need to pack up their belongings when they leave, or they need to ask a friend to watch their belongings. If students don’t leave their belongings out and alone in the open, there is no way for them to be stolen.