The lack of theft protection in the SFU Burnaby library is well known. According to campus security, the library is the number one hot-spot for device theft on campus and, while video surveillance has proven to be one of the most powerful mechanisms in crime prevention, as far as I can see, the library is bereft of all but one surveillance camera.
With the number of thefts that occur, it’s time for this university to step into reality and make the worthy investment. Undoubtedly, more camera technologies will help rid the library of crime once and for all.
Those who frequently visit the library may have noticed that security guards are fairly diligent in patrolling the floors. The walls are plastered with theft-precaution notices, too. But let’s face the truth: while these security measures are prominent, they simply aren’t enough to ensure everyone’s security. Video surveillance would actually capture acts of thieving and other crimes, and would preserve these records indefinitely. They would be an invaluable tool for both security and police alike.
Security once told me that they receive around 20 or more theft reports per week, which clearly indicates that criminals are thieving without being caught. Hence, students are at great risk of losing valuable education tools whenever stepping foot in the library. One would assume that, in awareness of theft statistics, SFU would take the utmost precautionary measures to ensure that its students are protected from device-theft while in an environment that promotes academic success.
I encountered my own near-theft incident in Bennett last semester. In my naivety, I’d left my laptop at the study-carrel while visiting the restroom. Two minutes later, I returned just in time to witness a man stuffing my laptop in his bag. The embarrassed man returned my device and feigned innocence, saying he thought it belonged to a friend, before I left him to go to the front desk where I reported the incident and met with security.
If I’d returned from the restroom seconds later, I’d have lost one of my most valuable possessions.
We managed to catch the thief and immediately took an unnerving trip to the security office, while the man pleaded with me not to press charges. While relieved at rescuing my laptop, I felt sickened to realize that if I’d returned from the restroom merely seconds later, I’d have lost one of my most valuable possessions.
Since then, I’ve been frustrated and rather boggled as to why SFU hasn’t implemented as many security measures as it can in Bennett Library. I’m well aware of the issues surrounding privacy rights of library-users; after all, people may not enjoy being “spied on” while they have their laptops open. But if the library respects individual privacy by placing cameras in non-intrusive areas throughout the building, it could successfully up its crime-stopping game.
The Toronto Public Library does it right. They explicitly state, in their video surveillance policy, that the library “recognizes the need to balance an individual’s right to privacy” while ensuring safety through camera-usage “where deemed necessary” in order to keep the library safe and secure.
While the evidence for better security is overwhelming, SFU must think critically about this and realize that its students will be grateful in the end. Therefore, while allowing students to maintain their privacy, a proper video-surveillance system must be installed in places deemed necessary for observation. This security precaution is essential to establishing a crime-free library at SFU Burnaby, and will greatly reduce the risk of lost valuables and devastated students.
