by Audrey Jean Griffith
Staff Writer
The rise of car thefts and burglaries has caused University of La Verne students and faculty to be on alert.
Over the past three years, car burglaries have doubled and car thefts have tripled. Three burglaries were reported in 1998 and in 1999. That figure has risen to six in 2000. One theft was reported in 1998 and in 1999. Three were reported in 2000.
After last semester’s string of burglaries, Campus Safety has been patrolling the parking lots more frequently. Daylight burglaries raise the question about how safe students and faculty are at La Verne.
Junior Stephanie Rose said, “Sometimes I feel uneasy about leaving my car here for long periods of time. I shouldn’t need to feel that way, especially in La Verne.”
John Lentz, director of Campus Safety and Transportation, encourages students who witness break-ins or see suspicious people, to report it immediately to Campus Safety.
Lentz also suggests writing down any identifiable information of people or vehicles in the parking lots.
“When Campus Safety receives a call about a vehicle burglary we respond, ascertain the circumstances, and take a report. If there is suspect information and the property stolen is identifiable, we notify the La Verne Police Department to take a report, arrest the suspect if there is one and enter the identifiable property into the statewide computer system,” said Lentz.
Students who feel nervous about their vehicles are encouraged to carpool or park as close to their classes as possible. Parking near buildings or in light can help. Students should also lock their car doors. Students should not leave purses, wallets or anything of high value on seats to tempt suspecting persons.
