SHANNON URTNOWSKI
news editor
Though the official numbers for 2007 are not scheduled to be released until October, students say they do not need numbers to confirm the problem they have been experiencing since the start of the school year: increased theft on campus.
For years, students and faculty have fallen victim to thefts involving items such as laptops, wallets, purses, cameras and cell phones, but many claim they have noticed more cases than usual since September.
“It really seems that theft has increased,” said senior Jenna Chang. “When I started at Pepperdine I never heard about any thefts, but this year it has been very apparent that theft is an issue at this school.”
Chang was one of about 12 students to have personal items stolen from a Delta Delta Delta recruitment event in September 2007. Members of the sorority gathered in the Fireside Room for an event, leaving their possessions in an unguarded side room. Upon returning to the room, the girls noticed that bags had been riffled through and items were missing.
Chang’s BlackBerry Curve was stolen, in addition to other cell phones, purses, money and cameras that were taken. Credit cards were even stolen from wallets, possibly to mask the theft, according to Chang.
In addition to this incident, seven laptops have been stolen from campus since Sept. 6, 2007. Laptop theft has not been this high in at least 10 years, according to Department of Public Safety Investigator Ed Young.
“Laptops are hard because every kid you see has a laptop around campus,” Young said. “They’re easy to conceal, but usually a hot item.”
In November, visiting instructor of theatre Bill Szobody became one of the seven victims of laptop theft. He realized his misfortune when he returned to his office after a “Brigadoon” rehearsal, finding the laptop and a digital camera missing.
“I think it’s a real shame,” Szobody said. “I’ve been here six years and all the sudden this year there seems to be a lot of theft going on here in the theatre and music department.”
Junior Erica Wong said she agrees with this claim, having been present during a theft that occurred at a Dance in Flight rehearsal earlier this month. That night, money was taken from bags and wallets in one of the dressing rooms while the dancers were on stage. Wong said the incident, in light of the other thefts that have occurred this past year, concerns her.
“I feel like it’s a lot less safe,” Wong said of the Pepperdine campus.
Wong is also the victim of laptop theft from Payson Library in November.
With respect to the Delta Delta Delta recruitment theft, the sorority’s president at the time, senior Caitlin Johnson, said she believes the Department of Public Safety worked diligently to try to solve the case, but she does not remain hopeful that the possessions will be returned.
“I was definitely disappointed with the lack of follow-through in the situation,” Johnson said. “That was the most frustrating part to all of this, because it happened to so many girls. We didn’t hear anything about it after they took the report — that was it.”
Chang said when her case occurred she reported the theft to Public Safety as well. She said that though she also realized not much could be done to recover her BlackBerry curve, she was not well informed about the investigation, either.
“After I went up to the office and spoke with them, I never heard about the investigation ever again,” Chang said. “They never really let us know what happened or if they found anything. It would have at least been nice to get some follow-up information.”
However, according to Director of Broadcast Operations Wade Brown, Public Safety investigates cases to the best of its ability.
“Like everything in life, Public Safety has a balancing act to carry out,” Brown said.
Brown became involved with the theft web after five of eight mini DV cameras were stolen from a secured room within the Telecommunication Department during winter break.
Young said he thinks the stolen cameras probably account for the “highest level loss of the year.”
All of the thefts are serious matters that affect the Pepperdine community negatively, other students say.
“I think it’s extremely strange and rare,” senior Tiffany Saulnier, a Dance in Flight performer present at the rehearsal theft, said of the recent incidents. “I feel like Pepperdine is an extremely safe place, and it’s just weird that this is all happening at the same time.”
Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Robert McKelvy advises students to take precautions and watch their items close, as many of the recent incidents have been “thefts of opportunity.”
“Most thefts on campus involve property that is unattended or unsecured,” McKelvy said.
Young said students and faculty should report all crimes, including theft, to Public Safety as soon as they become apparent.
The more time Public Safety has to investigate, the more likely the items will be recovered, he added.
02-21-2008
