By Kimiko L. Martinez
Assistant News Editor
Two computers: about $6,500.
One leather jacket: $280.
Collection of more than 100 CDs started in 1994: priceless.
And they’re all gone.
Several students studying abroad at the Florence Villa returned from winter break to find several thousands of dollars in personal items missing and their sense of security altered.
According to student reports, during the month they were gone there were two major lapses in security at the villa that could have allowed for numerous theft opportunities.
Several unsupervised groups had access to the villa, including a painting crew that worked at the property several times before and local Bible school workers.
But unlocked doors and unattended room keys are the most likely causes for the thefts and may have left the villa vulnerable to outsiders.
Only two people, who remained on the property to serve as an emergency contacts for students, and the office staff continued to occupy the premises from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but no additional security measures were taken.
“This has made us realize how vulnerable we are and may be (to burglary),” said Elizabeth Whatley, Florence’s program director.
Before last semester, the villa had no history of reported thefts. The first incident this fall involved a jacket taken from a student’s room.
Administrators acted quickly to replace the entire cleaning staff. Since that time, only two other incidences have occurred involving stolen cash from a student’s purse and a trash bag full of missing shoes.
“I dug through spaghetti looking for the shoes,” Sarah Thompson said believing the bag may have inadvertently been thrown away after being placed in the hallway right outside her room. “I’d say I went through about 25 trash bags.”
But this is the second time Thompson has found property missing. She returned to find her makeup, perfume and CD collection missing.
“It’s the only thing I collect,” she commented.
Sophomore Derek Olson had his computer stolen out of a bag left in his room over the break. With hardware, the machine was worth around $4,500.
And some things just can’t be replaced, including Thompson’s CD collection, files on Olson’s computer and Heather Bush’s entire box of belongings, including clothes, pictures and other personal effects.
“I don’t expect them to pay for it,” Olson said, expressing frustration over the situation. “But Pepperdine should increase its security.”
In direct response to the incident, the villa has added an extra video camera to monitor the entrance and mandated that a previously unlocked door be locked at all times after office hours. Additionally, security tapes will now be archived in the event that residents or office workers are away for an extended period of time. Previously, tapes were taped over every four days.
Despite the new precautionary measures, the general mood of students affected is utter frustration with the situation and the ease of access to their rooms and possessions.
“I dug through spaghetti looking for the shoes,” said Sarah Thompson, believing the bag may have inadvertently been thrown away.
“I’d say I went through about 25 trash bags,” she continued.
But this is the second time Thompson has found property missing. She returned to find her makeup, perfume and CD collection missing.
“It’s the only thing I collect,” she commented.
Sophomore Derek Olson had his computer stolen out of a bag left in his room over the break. With hardware, the machine was worth around $4,500.
And some things just can’t be replaced, including Thompson’s CD collection, files on Olson’s computer and Heather Bush’s entire box of belongings, including clothes, pictures and other personal effects.
“I don’t expect them to pay for it,” Olson said in frustration. “But Pepperdine should increase its security.”
In direct response to the incident, the villa has added an extra video camera to monitor the entrance and mandated that a previously unlocked door be locked at all times after office hours.
Additionally, security tapes will now be archived in the event that residents or office workers are away for an extended period of time. Previously, tapes were taped over every four days.
Despite the new precautionary measures, the general mood of students affected is utter frustration with the situation, especially regarding the ease of access to their rooms and possessions.
“It is frustrating that while we had no control over our things, it still ultimately falls to us to replace our belongings,” said JJ Bowman, who had a leather jacket stolen.
Pepperdine University has no insurance to cover such situations, and despite handing in their keys, which some students believe should have transferred liability to Pepperdine, the school is assuming no responsibility for the incident.
President Dr. Andrew K. Benton hadn’t been informed of the event. And although he hasn’t received a full report on the matter, Dr. William Phillips, dean of international programs, said Pepperdine “cannot accept the responsibility of absolutely safeguarding the belongings students bring to campus” here and abroad.
“It is (the students’) responsibility not to bring valuables that might be stolen, to safeguard them and to carry insurance of their own possessions,” Phillips said.
Whatley, however, sees the situation as a wake-up call.
“(This is an) unfortunate situation,” she said, “but the one positive is that it has made us more aware.”
Sense of security: irreplaceable.
“It is frustrating that while we had no control over our things, it still ultimately falls to us to replace our belongings,” said JJ Bowman, who had a leather jacket stolen.
Pepperdine University has no insurance to cover such situations, and despite handing in their keys, which some students believe should have transferred liability to Pepperdine, the school is assuming no responsibility for the incident.
Pepperdine President Andrew K. Benton hadn’t been informed of the event and Dr. William Phillips, dean of international programs, was unavailable for comment.
Watley, however, sees the situation as a wake-up call.
“(This is an) unfortunate situation,” she said, “but the one positive is that it has made us more aware.”
Sense of security: irreplaceable
January 31, 2002