
Over the past three years, electronic thefts at Wilfrid Laurier Universityโs Library have been on a steady increase, with studentsโ laptops and personal belongings being stolen almost every month.
Corey Clarysse, a special constable with Laurierโs Special Constable Services, said they have seen nearly 30 thefts take place at the Library alone, not accounting for other thefts on campus.
โThat includes everything from laptops, cell phones, wallets, purses; those are the main things,โ said Clarysse.
According to Clarysse, SCS is unsure at this point whether Laurier students or non-Laurier students are to blame for the thefts.
โWeโve had a few incidences where itโs been non-Laurier students in the past, so anybody is capable of stealing from the Library,โ said Clarysse.
โItโs not specifically Laurier students, it can be anybody who walks through the Library doors.โ
Although some may think the majority of thefts happen during midterms and exams, a time where the most students are in the Library, Clarysse explained there is a steady increase of stolen electronics every month.
โObviously thereโs more volume during exam and midterm time at the Library,โ
Clarysse explained, โBut our statistics show that itโs just as possible during any month of the year to have something stolen and left unattended.โ
Among the past three years of data, 2013 was the busiest for electronic thefts and 2014 was the second worst.
โ2015 we had a few and the yearโs not over yet, so I would say itโs on pace to matching 2013 and 2014,โ Clarysse explained.
Clarysse noted that for students, the most important thing is to never leave valuable electronics unattended at the Library.
โDonโt leave anything out of your view, personalize your property even by adding stickers, covers and you can get your laptop engraved.โ
Laptop locks are also available at the Laurier Bookstore for students, which according to Clarysse, could really help students keep their laptops safe.
Clarysse continued to say it is a good idea for students to go with friends to the Library where they can watch each otherโs valuables if they need to leave for a moment.
โThe people that you trust the most if theyโre at the Library with you, have them look after your items when you go for a quick washroom break.โ
To combat these thefts, SCS is also continuing to do proactive patrols through the Library at various hours throughout the week.
โItโs not like weโre going to come in everyday at seven oโclock, itโs going to be random, and weโre going to be keeping our eyes out for unattended objects as well and anything that might be suspicious,โ Clarysse said.
SCS will now start to promote their services to students, especially first-years, which will give students information on electronic theft prevention tips.
โSpecial Constables is in the process of combating these thefts,โ Clarysse said.
โWe have a three-fold strategy moving forward and weโre going to start with a marketing campaign so primarily at information fairs on campus.โ
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