The Rice Thresher

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October 26, 2007 > News > RUPD launches controversial anti-theft policy

RUPD launches controversial anti-theft policy

Pre-emptive stealing a response to recent spike in on-campus theft

By Dale Swartz | For the Thresher

The number of personal property thefts have spiked since the beginning of the school year. Rice University Police Department is beginning to resort to new and drastic tactics to ensure students protect their property from theft: stealing before the robbers have a chance to.

Fondren Library staff and RUPD developed the procedure to decrease personal property thefts.

Officers conduct sweeps of the library looking for personal items left unattended and bring them to the circulation desk. Besides the library, unsecured bikes and backpacks from other buildings will be relocated to the police station.

“If we spot something sitting out unattended, it’s better that they come get it from us than for it to be stolen by someone else,” Police Chief Bill Taylor said. “Nothing gets moved without documentation.”

Taylor said RUPD does not have any leads or suspect descriptions to account for the crimes, except that the thief has been able to move freely throughout the campus without being questioned by students, staff or RUPD officers.

The number of personal property thefts have increased since the beginning of the school year. In a typical month, five to ten items are reported stolen, but in September 17, items worth a total of more than $11,000 were stolen. Most of the items stolen have been small pieces of personal property like wallets, backpacks, purses and laptops.

However, the new crime awareness procedure has met with opposition from some students.

Baker College sophomore Samuel Jacobson said he thought RUPD should let students learn on their own.

“Although I appreciate what RUPD’s doing for me, I’m old enough to take care of my stuff,” Jacobson said. “I don’t need RUPD to play mommy for me.”

On the other hand, Baker sophomore Kathy Deng said she appreciated RUPD’s efforts.

“Since we’re so used to a trusting community where we don’t have to worry about things being stolen, it’s kind of a shock so it’s good that we’re trying to bring awareness to this,” Deng said.

However, some students have to face the problem of real burglaries. Jones College junior Esha Mankodi had her wallet stolen from her backpack last week while studying in Fondren Library. Mankodi said she thought she had misplaced it but soon found out that someone had spent $300 on purchases from Target and CVS Pharmancy.

“You feel like you don’t have to take care of everything as much because it will magically take care of itself which I’m now finding is false,” Mankodi said. “I’d heard about the thefts at college meetings, but it didn’t really hit home.”

Taylor said students should keep personal items secure at all times, not let anyone into campus buildings, not walk alone at night, be aware of their surroundings and use common sense. Taylor said his concern is that students are too complacent within the hedges and feel that their property is safe as well.

Deng said she tries to be careful with her personal belongings.

“If I know I’m not going to be at the library for more than a couple minutes, I probably find someone to look over my stuff for me or take it with me,” Deng said.

Sarah Rutledge and Lily Chun contributed to this article.

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