Theft on College Campus: Learn What to Do and What to Avoid

Theft on College Campus: Learn What to Do and What to Avoid
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College Crime

It is sad to say that there is crime in schools. Schools should be sanctuaries and places of learning. Instead they have become places to procure drugs, sex and engage in illegal activities. If there is any doubt, consider this. Theft on campus has increased, so has the number of violent crimes. While it was once acceptable for students to take late night walks around campus to work out writer’s block or to help solve a problem, this is no longer considered safe. While the number of violent incidents are on the rise in colleges, theft still remains the number one problem. Learning how to avoid it and how to handle theft is essential to the real life lessons of the college student.

What Gets Stolen

There are some instances where the theft is purely accidental and the objects stolen are held onto purely because the person is embarrassed to return them. However, most cases of theft are done as acts of crime. In most cases, the objects are accessories and media equipment. People may lift a person’s iPod or headphones. On rarer incidents, the theft may involve a phone or computer. Very rarely will money, wallets or coats be taken, although this does happen. Anything of any value can be stolen. Things that do not appear to have any value may also be lifted simply because of the novelty of the item.

How to Avoid Campus Theft

The best way to ensure that no one steals anything from you is to not leave anything out and unattended. Thieves are more likely to go after something that is easy to procure than something that is difficult or that has a higher chance of them being caught stealing. If you have to leave something in sight, be sure to lock it up. I don’t mean put down a locked case, but rather keep it in your dorm room or in a locked vehicle. Never leave your dorm room or car unlocked. Do not flaunt a high valued item in front of others because this will attract thieves and tempt others to take what you have.

Dealing with Theft

No one ever wants to be the victim of stealing on campus, but it does happen. Knowing how to handle it if something should be stolen is vital to increasing your chances of getting the item back. It is important to remember that you cannot expect the college to do anything about the theft if they are not informed of the stolen item. It is also important to remember that the chances of the college being able to find the culprit and the object are low. However, they will be able to keep an eye out for the object and investigate any leads or suspects. Be sure to inform your parents and see what can be done to replace the item. Some credit cards and stores offer theft insurance and may even be able to replace the item.

Don’t Panic

Theft on a college campus happens. Do not panic if someone should steal from you. Instead, think about what to do about it and how to prevent it from occurring again. Be sure to inform the proper authorities and not let it distract you from your college studies. Remember, the point of college is to prepare you for the real world and theft occurs there too. Chalk it up to a learning experience and learn from the unfortunate event.