Theft in athletics: a case of careless students orcrafty thieves? ( Photo: Adam Dietrich )
A recent spate of thefts in the women’s change room has brought the number of thefts in the Carleton athletics centre to almost 50 since August, according to Carleton’s community safety web site.
On June 17, a female student reported to campus safety officers that her belongings had been taken from an unsecured locker in the physical recreation centre. On the same day, two other female students had their belongings stolen from under a bench in the same change room.
“It’s pretty amazing that people still don’t lock up their valuables,” said Jennifer Brenning, director of the department of recreation and athletics.
Campus safety officers took a report for all three thefts but it’s unlikely the items will be recovered, said Len Boudreault, director of campus safety.
The department has posted signs in both the men’s and women’s change rooms warning users not to leave valuables unattended. Between May 2008 and April 2009, 68 thefts occurred in athletics, according to Brenning. The men’s change room had over six times the number of thefts as the women’s change room, she said.
Wallets, cell phones and laptops are popular targets for thieves.
Some victims of theft had their belongings stolen after thieves cut the locks from their lockers.
In September a student returned to the men’s change room in athletics and found his lock cut and wallet taken. Ottawa police became involved in the case after the student found his stolen credit cards were used off campus.
There has been one theft from athletics every month since August but the most thefts occurred in December and April during exam periods when students leave bags and coats unattended.
But Boudreault said thefts generally decrease in the summer months. Brenning said she has asked for increased safety patrols during exam periods.