SFU security warns students to keep their valuables close
By Alison Roach
Photos by Mark Burnham
There appears to be a rise in the number of thefts happening at SFU campuses. A blanket warning was recently posted on the SFU Campus Security webpage, cautioning students “of the importance of securing [their] personal belongings when on campus.”
This warning comes on the heels of a noticeable spike in on-campus thefts of opportunity since the new year. SFU
Campus Security director Steven MacLean explained, “These are thefts where individuals are leaving their personal stuff alone, unattended, and unguarded, and then people take advantage of that.” An unusual number of these thefts have been reported since
Jan. 1, with a total of 40 incidents. Last year alone the Burnaby campus experienced 225 thefts of opportunity, which is higher than average, but the real spike began around the beginning of the new year, and the new semester. “It is unusual,” said MacLean.
While MacLean emphasized that security has not been able to pinpoint any specific targeted areas, he acknowledges there are areas on campus that experience more thefts. “There are one of two incidents where this is happening in classrooms,” MacLean stated, “but there is also common study areas where these items are being stolen.”
The stolen property has been typically electronics and students’ personal items. “What we’re seeing is the theft of a lot of electronics; so iPhones, iPads, laptops . . . and wallets and backpacks as well,” said MacLean.
Though some backpacks have been recovered, they had been emptied of valuables. None of the stolen electronics have been returned to their owners.
Campus Security was unable to go into detail on any potential suspects, but there have been several reports of people who may be behind the thefts. Campus Security has been working alongside the Burnaby RCMP to see if those individuals may be previously known to local police forces.
“We think perhaps there is a group of people working in concert, conducting this type of activity. For operational reasons right now, we don’t want to give too much information, but hopefully we’ll be able to release more information in the near future,” said MacLean. He was unable to say whether its known if the suspects are part of the SFU community or not.
SFU Campus Security has also been working with other campus officials and SFU’s social media networks to spread the word that students need to be taking more active possession of their own belongings.
One SFU student. Who wished to remain unnamed, recently had a laptop stolen from a computer lab in the West Mall Complex during an open lab session where many students were working on an assignment for the same course.
“The thief came and sat at the computer next to me and began to unpack some materials from his bag,” they described, “I was so focused on the assignment that I didn’t pay much attention to him, or even notice when got up and left two minutes later. He placed his bag by mine and pretended to go into it to find something but was actually reaching into my purse to slip my laptop out of its case.”
Stories like this are being echoed throughout campus, and students are warned to keep a close watch on their belongings, as well as to watch out for their friends. That student’s personal advice? “Make sure you have an eye on your valuables at all times. This wouldn’t have happened if my purse was in front of me on the desk, but then again, one would assume that right by your feet would be safe as well.” MacLean’s parting advice follows the same tack: “Look out for each other. Look after your stuff.”
