The question posed in Wednesday's editorial, "What have we learned?" is an appropriate inquiry to our campus community as we consider the challenge of responding to the unfortunate rash of vehicle break-ins this year. Although two individuals were apprehended early this week in the lot adjacent to the Ball State baseball field, the editor correctly observes that we have yet to determine if these men were responsible for any of the other thefts/break-ins that occurred last weekend. That investigation is on-going.
While surveillance cameras, call boxes, additional lighting and increased patrols do not constitute a panacea for campus crime, they can and often do deter criminal activity. Earlier this week, I initiated a series of discussions with appropriate university officials about the installation of surveillance cameras in the lots adjacent to the football and baseball stadiums as well as the lot immediately west of Carmichael hall and the Johnson residence complex. We will also discuss lighting in these parking lots and the placement of emergency call boxes. And, as the Daily News has noted in its coverage, patrols in these lots have already been substantially increased.
Because the university has just begun these conversations, there are a number of issues we must consider, including: what type of equipment we should purchase, what additional equipment or utility needs that must be met before an installation could take place and how we would integrate surveillance cameras into our campus monitoring system. Until we answer those questions and gain approval for the purchase, I am not able to provide a timetable for when cameras could be installed.
I also want to clarify a couple of points attributed to Director of Public Safety Gene Burton in Friday's Daily News. When asked what steps might help prevent break-ins in the parking lots, Chief Burton responded that fencing is one way parking lots can be secured; however, he did not suggest that this was under consideration at Ball State. He also did not say that there are already cameras in place at the entrance to parking lots that just need to be connected. What he did say is that there is some infrastructure in some areas of the campus to which we could connect cameras, but this, too, is part of our discussions.
Because cameras will not prevent all break-ins, what we have learned about the phenomenon of car theft on college campuses can help you reduce your chances of becoming a victim. We know that sound systems visible from outside the vehicles are more likely to attract the attention of smash-and-grab thieves. Thieves and car vandals are usually not Ball State students. Break-ins are more likely to occur on vehicles that sit in a particular lot for an extended period of time. If you live in the residence halls and stay on campus during the weekend, you should move your car to an interior campus lot for the weekend to reduce the chances of a break-in. Many residence hall students who stay on campus over weekends elect not to move their cars to interior campus lots closer to their residence halls, even though they can.
Finally, I think it is important to address another point raised in the Daily News editorial -- concerns about personal safety. It is understandable that these break-ins might make some students feel less secure. Ball State is like every other college campus in that our biggest problem is theft. This year, the biggest problem has been theft out of the parking lots; last year, it was theft out of buildings. Unfortunately, it's pretty cyclical. However, our campus crime statistics show that we have very few incidents of crimes against people. The campus is very safe, and you can help keep it that way by being vigilant, being aware of your surroundings and reporting any suspicious activity.
Ball State University is strongly committed to working with our students and other parking patrons to ensure that all appropriate steps are taken to provide for a healthy and safe campus community. The university police, our colleagues in facilities planning and management, faculty, staff and students all have important roles to play in these efforts.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
