Theft
- A Crime of Opportunity
by Detective Cheryl Radzinski
One of the most common crimes on campus is theft. Each week the UW-Madison Police investigates reports of stolen backpacks, books, bicycles, laptops, or other electronic equipment. Most thefts on campus are crimes of opportunity. A potential thief notices unattended items in an office, library, or coffee shop and takes the property. These thefts are often preventable.
The easiest way to prevent becoming a victim of a burglary or theft is to
never leave items unattended. That means if you are studying and need a quick
break to use the restroom or grab a snack, you must take your items with you.
If you leave items unattended, expect that they will be gone when you return.
While it may seem unreasonable to pack up your books and laptop if you’re just
going to be away a minute or two, taking that precaution
will save you a great
deal of distress. No one wants to return to find someone has walked away with
their laptop. Many times it simply means locking your office door even if
you’re just going down the hall for a few minutes. For students who live in residence halls, it is equally important to lock the
door of your room. You wouldn’t leave your home unlocked either. Sometimes
students leave rooms unlocked while they are inside sleeping. Your room is your
home, and you should develop good security habits. Some will argue that part of
the residence hall experience is making connections with others on your floor,
and locking doors prohibits that interaction. Again, for your safety and
security of your belongings, please take the proper precautions.
Theft and burglaries are costly in many ways. The theft of computers and other expensive electronic equipment not only results in a monetary loss but also loss of hours of work and information that may have been stored there. When wallets are stolen, credit cards can be used fraudulently and identity theft can result when personal information is compromised. Potential thieves are always looking for opportunities, so by taking simple steps you can prevent them from having the opportunity to steal your belongings.
