Rash of break-ins on campus

By Claire DeRoin ~

Freshman Katie Copple wasn’t happy to see that the back window of her vehicle had been shattered. In addition, there were scratches in the paint around the keyhole. Her car, parked in the pool lot, was one of the many cars involved in a recent rash of vandalism and break-ins on campus.

The window was broken into late Friday night. She discovered it Saturday morning. Instead of enjoying a relaxing weekend, she had to file reports with security and worry about getting her window replaced. “I don’t leave anything in there that has any real value,” Copple said of her car. She didn’t understand why someone targeted her car.

Brett Lyon, assistant director of security, sent out a campus-wide e-mail, warning students to keep cars locked and not leave any valuable possessions behind when heading into the dorms. He said in a comment that a special committee has been formed in order to prevent the thefts. They will be meeting next week.

“I think security cameras in the big parking lots would be a great idea. I think it would cut down on the number of incidents,” Copple said. She refuses to park in the pool lot again and constantly checks her car. “I constantly see skaters and teens hanging out there,” she said. “They look sketchy.” In addition to parking further away from her dorm, she feels obligated to constantly check her car for break-ins.

While e-mails may hold all the good advice in the world, the cost to Morningside students – even students that do all the right things to prevent theft — can be great.

“I am paying enough in tuition costs to come to Morningside. I don’t feel I should have to pay almost $600 to get a window fixed that was broken while my car was parked on campus,” Copple said.