2008 Woodie Awards
Safety and Security Intensified with Latest Campus Crime Increase
Joseph Mvula
Issue date: 12/10/03 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Following a series of reported thefts of items on campus, Lakeland's Department of Safety and Security has implemented certain measures in attempt to minimize the crimes.
In our last issue, it was reported that two laptops, a digital camera, and a wood chipper were stolen. In addition, monthly campus crime records for October reported crimes in WAK and in the parking lots, but the perpetrators remain unknown.
In October alone, more than 20 people were reported to have violated the state or college rules; however, the month of November saw a drop in campus crimes and misdemeanors. Only four people were involved in security statistics for November and no major thefts were reported. A possibility for the lower statistics could be the increased security measures and safety promotion.
"We have posted warnings everywhere that people should secure their things when they are leaving, like their cars or rooms," said Erin Bechill, assistant director of security.
Not only are warnings posted, but also daily security routines have intensified. Access to the Bradley building and other buildings not frequently used by students or staff at night or on weekends, are now limited to people authorized by security.
In addition to these new measures, security employees routinely check Old Main, Chase, Laun, and Verhulst to ensure that college property in empty classrooms is secure. They are also keeping them open longer than before.
Students guilty of any serious offense are either warned, denied of college facilities or reported to the police depending on the nature of the crimes.
Bechill added that theft cannot be predicted nor can any of the other crimes on campus, but she speculates that the decrease in crimes for November could be the fruit of the current security measures in operation.
"As soon as classes are over in these buildings," Bechill said, "we lock them up."
Sandy Gibbons-Vollbrecht, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, admitted that there have been some punishable crimes committed in the past three years but declined to comment for confidentiality.
Theft has not been the only frequent crime activity on campus.
According to a report released by the Student Life Office in collaboration with the Office of Safety and Security, liquor law violation has been the most common offense with 219 reported individuals in the previous three years, which is an average of 73 per year. The months of September and October of this semester have recorded 40 individuals to have violated college or state liquor laws and regulations.
The second common offense is drug violations with 16 individuals involved in the previous three years, which comes to an average of about five per year. Nine people were in possession of paraphernalia in October.
In our last issue, it was reported that two laptops, a digital camera, and a wood chipper were stolen. In addition, monthly campus crime records for October reported crimes in WAK and in the parking lots, but the perpetrators remain unknown.
In October alone, more than 20 people were reported to have violated the state or college rules; however, the month of November saw a drop in campus crimes and misdemeanors. Only four people were involved in security statistics for November and no major thefts were reported. A possibility for the lower statistics could be the increased security measures and safety promotion.
"We have posted warnings everywhere that people should secure their things when they are leaving, like their cars or rooms," said Erin Bechill, assistant director of security.
Not only are warnings posted, but also daily security routines have intensified. Access to the Bradley building and other buildings not frequently used by students or staff at night or on weekends, are now limited to people authorized by security.
In addition to these new measures, security employees routinely check Old Main, Chase, Laun, and Verhulst to ensure that college property in empty classrooms is secure. They are also keeping them open longer than before.
Students guilty of any serious offense are either warned, denied of college facilities or reported to the police depending on the nature of the crimes.
Bechill added that theft cannot be predicted nor can any of the other crimes on campus, but she speculates that the decrease in crimes for November could be the fruit of the current security measures in operation.
"As soon as classes are over in these buildings," Bechill said, "we lock them up."
Sandy Gibbons-Vollbrecht, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, admitted that there have been some punishable crimes committed in the past three years but declined to comment for confidentiality.
Theft has not been the only frequent crime activity on campus.
According to a report released by the Student Life Office in collaboration with the Office of Safety and Security, liquor law violation has been the most common offense with 219 reported individuals in the previous three years, which is an average of 73 per year. The months of September and October of this semester have recorded 40 individuals to have violated college or state liquor laws and regulations.
The second common offense is drug violations with 16 individuals involved in the previous three years, which comes to an average of about five per year. Nine people were in possession of paraphernalia in October.