The chaos of completing schoolwork usually means students are thinking of anything but protecting their possessions, but the busiest times of the semester are when they’re most vulnerable.
The LSU Police Department and Middleton Library officials have put students on alert after a number of laptop thefts on campus following midterm week.
According to LSUPD spokesman Capt. Cory Lalonde, students need to be most careful to avoid theft when they study in public and are most absent-minded.
“These types of crimes happen the most often during heavy study times like during midterms and final exams,” Lalonde said. “We get reports at various times throughout the semester, but at these times, personal theft is most common.”
Shayne Bertrand, circulation desk manager at Middleton Library, agreed, saying this semester’s midterm week was particularly crime-stricken.
“Three laptops were taken on the same day,” Bertrand said.
Cell phones, iPods and laptops are among the most-stolen items on college campuses, according to CollegeStudentSafety.com. These items are relatively easy to steal and have a high resale value, making them attractive to potential thieves.
LSUPD reported that between 2008 and 2010, there were 203 reported cases of robbery or burglary both on campus and in residential facilities.
Lalonde also said the most common areas for personal theft were classroom buildings and Middleton Library.
“We get reports of people in class forgetting their laptop when they leave, and when they come back to get it, it’s gone,” Lalonde said. “We hear about students either waiting outside of class or studying in the library, getting up to take a break and having their stuff stolen.”
The Middleton Library circulation desk is responsible for the library’s security cameras, and employees work with the police on theft cases that occur in the library.
Bertrand urged students to be vigilant about their belongings.
“Keep an eye on your stuff,” Bertrand said. “People feel like the library is a safe place, so they put themselves at risk.”
 
The library staff has made laptop theft prevention and student security one of its top priorities.
Isabella Diaz, a student worker and third-floor supervisor in Middleton Library, said that students ultimately must be responsible for themselves.
“I’ve worked here for a year now, and I’ve seen 15 thefts just on this floor,” Diaz said. “People just need to be more responsible and not leave their stuff lying around.”
In the book stacks in Middleton, posters hang warning students about the possibility of theft. In addition, if library workers see items lying unattended, they will place fliers on them reading, “If I were a thief, your stuff would be gone.”
Both LSUPD and Middleton officials offered suggestions to help minimize theft.
Bertrand said the most important things to do following theft in the library is to alert the front desk and call the police. Because there are usually campus police in the Quad or nearby, they can come quickly and help students search.
Lalonde said students should be familiar with the serial numbers of their laptops and install tracking apps on their computers, cell phones and iPods. These can help police locate missing devices and identify them when they are found.
 
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Contact Gordon Brillon at [email protected]