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That text book you left sitting on the library table: gone.
The cell phone you thought was on the desk behind you: gone.
The wallet you left in the locker while you went running: gone.
Accordinag to David Hatfield, the University of Louisville assistant director of intramural and recreational sports, the overwhelming majority of goods are stolen because they’re left unattended.
“Typically, reports of stolen items tend to rise [regarding the SAC recreational sports area] around the holidays, the fall time change, and when the colder weather tends to keep more people inside,” Hatfield said.
At 400,000 users annually, the SAC, or more specifically the weight room, basketball courts and locker rooms, see a lot of people in and out all the time. Many of these people come and go without actually using the facilities.
Leaving the locker open and then walking away to wash hands or use the restroom gives a thief ample time to get in a bag or locker and take anything that they want. Two minutes is a long time to leave valuables unattended.
The equipment rental office located beside the racquetball courts will rent a lock for 25 cents. Half lockers for the semester are avaiable for $10 and full lockers for $20. Hatfield encourages students and staff to take advantage of this service.
When in the weight room, the attendants on duty will pick up any valuables they think have been left behind and turn them into the equipment room. Users of the weight room should not place anything valuable in sight or on the floor, specifically items such as sweatshirts, watches, headphones or MP3 players.
The Humana Gym and HSC Fitness Center have less of a traffic flow, however gym goers are still encouraged to bring their own locks.
Cars in campus parking lots also present opportunities to heist a wide range of valuable goods.
Burglary “tends to peak around the first week of school when students are moving in and do not secure their vehicle when away for extended periods of time,” said Major Kenneth Brown, assistant chief of police for the Department of Public Safety.
Brown added that around the holiday season there seems to be a peak in reported burglaries involving cars as well.
“Students are in a hurry and leave valuables in plain view or leave the doors unlocked,” Brown said.
Although there are security officers in all campus parking lots, Brown endorses car alarms. Anytime suspicious looking people are around cars, Brown encourages students or faculty to call the DPS officer on duty.
