Electronic thefts at Laurier Library rising

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Graphic by Joshua Awolade
Graphic by Joshua Awolade

Over the past three years, electronic thefts at Wilfrid Laurier Universityโ€™s Library have been on a steady increase, with studentsโ€™ laptops and personal belongings being stolen almost every month.

Corey Clarysse, a special constable with Laurierโ€™s Special Constable Services, said they have seen nearly 30 thefts take place at the Library alone, not accounting for other thefts on campus.

โ€œThat 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.

โ€œWeโ€™ve had a few incidences where itโ€™s been non-Laurier students in the past, so anybody is capable of stealing from the Library,โ€ said Clarysse.

โ€œItโ€™s 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.

โ€œObviously thereโ€™s more volume during exam and midterm time at the Library,โ€

Clarysse explained, โ€œBut our statistics show that itโ€™s 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.

โ€œ2015 we had a few and the yearโ€™s not over yet, so I would say itโ€™s 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.

โ€œDonโ€™t 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 otherโ€™s valuables if they need to leave for a moment.

โ€œThe people that you trust the most if theyโ€™re 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.

โ€œItโ€™s not like weโ€™re going to come in everyday at seven oโ€™clock, itโ€™s going to be random, and weโ€™re 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.

โ€œSpecial Constables is in the process of combating these thefts,โ€ Clarysse said.

โ€œWe have a three-fold strategy moving forward and weโ€™re going to start with a marketing campaign so primarily at information fairs on campus.โ€


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