Campus theft leaves many frustrated, angry

By Marshall Bates
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Being a victim of campus theft can be frustrating and confusing, especially for Dale Mauldin.

“Everything else was left untouched,” said Mauldin, 19, a sophomore communications major from Belchertown, Mass. “They could have taken all of my CDs, or even my roommate’s CDs, but it was only the cash they were looking for.”

Eight thefts were reported at Norwich University campus during the last academic year.

During the first two months of classes this fall, there have already been six reported thefts on campus. The dramatic increase in theft on campus has many students wondering what is going on and what Norwich security is going to do about it.

According to security, most of the thefts have been laptops. Also stolen were a Sony Playstation, CDs and a car cover from the student parking lots.

Thieves entered Mauldin’s room by climbing through his second story window and stole cash from his desk. Mauldin said he knew of two other cases where rooms had been burglarized and cash had been the only item removed.

Others victims of thievery, such as Stephanie Olsen, 20, a junior geology major from Concord, Mass., have lost personal items like clothing.

"I had a couple of shirts stolen from my wall locker, along with $20 in quarters,” Olsen said. “Our door was always open, because there was always someone we knew in our room, watching a movie or doing something.”

The other, more expensive items in Olsen’s room remained untouched.

One of the most frustrating things for victims is the perceived inaction of authority in resolving their cases.

Nathan Shively, 20, a junior peace, war, and diplomacy major, had his laptop stolen from his basement room in Ransom Hall sometime during Regimental Ball weekend.

According to Shivley, a week after the theft, the Northfield police department still had not filed a report, or taken any action to apprehend the thieves, despite the presence of two eyewitnesses to the theft.

According to Northfield Police Chief Jeff Shaw, speaking in an interview Oct. 30, he said the items missing from Shively's room have been recovered, and the suspects have been arrested and charged with felonies.

"I don't want there to be a perception out there that we're not doing our jobs, but sometimes it takes some time to solve the puzzle," Shaw said of the investigative process.

Students have not been the only people affected by the thieves. Faculty have reported an increase in items being stolen from academic buildings.

“I regularly have things stolen from the TV studio,” said Bill Estill, professor of communications at Norwich University. “People steal extension cords, power strips, staplers and pens. Many people think they can take these items as theirs, because they are not expensive items, and they can use them in their rooms.”

During Parent’s Weekend this year, Estill’s personal backpack was stolen from the TV studio.

“I believe that someone thought that I had money in the bag from sales of the Rook Week videos and decided to take my bag,” Estill said, adding that the bag also contained many disks that hold his class tests and a pair of eyeglasses.

“We’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any major items stolen from studio,” Estill said. “We did have a 36- inch television and VCR stolen from the journalism classroom at the end of the (2001) spring semester.”

According to Norwich security chief Michael Abraham, medical supplies were also removed during a break-in at the Norwich University Infirmary.

Abraham said he was not sure what else was stolen, because it has now become a police investigation. According to Abraham, most incidents of theft that occur in the dorms happen because people leave their doors and windows unlocked.

“Most of the time what happens is students leave their doors open when they go out to the bathroom or to take a shower,” Abraham said.

“During that time, someone comes into their room and goes through the drawers or just takes what’s lying out, and leaves.”

Abraham said that in the majority of cases, students should not expect to get the stolen items back.

“Most of the time, things aren’t recovered,” Abraham said. “That is a big expense to the student.”

There are, however, some simple precautions that students can take to protect themselves, though many students are unwilling to do so.

“The biggest thing that students could do, that would have the most impact, is to lock their doors and windows, especially ones accessible at ground level,” Abraham said. “If students would lock their doors and windows, theft on campus would be drastically reduced.”

Abraham said he understood why students don’t lock their rooms.

“We have a very trusting student society,” Abraham said. “For the most part, everyone treats each other with respect.

"But it only takes a few thieves to make life miserable for a lot of students," he said.

Mauldin voiced regret over the failure of students to adhere to the honor code.

“The honor code really doesn’t work,” Mauldin said. “Just keep your windows and doors locked; you got to watch out for your own stuff.”

Abraham encouraged students to watch out for one another.

“Students and cadets just have to keep their eyes open and say something,” Abraham said.

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