On-campus
vehicle theft continues to be a problem
Kaitlin
Higgins
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Over the past three years, motor vehicle theft has been the most common on-campus
crime, according to the Cal State Long Beach 2004 Annual Crime Statistics.
There
were 48 reported car thefts from campus
parking lots in 2002, 59 in 2003 and
55 in 2004. Of these thefts, 27
occurred in dorm areas.
“ It took me a long time to believe my car was stolen,” said senior
Emily Rhineberger, whose vehicle was stolen from Lot 14 when she lived in the
dorms three years ago.
“ I walked up and down the rows for 20 minutes before I realized
it was gone.”
Rhineberger’s
1988 Toyota Camry was later found on
the 405 freeway, with the stereo and
all loose items in the car missing. A
year later, her car was broken into,
again in a campus parking lot, and her
stereo stolen. Her car was broken
into a total of four times. Two
of these instances occurred off-campus,
and each time resulted in a stolen stereo.
She said she believes her stereo made her car a target for theft. She
also said older model vehicles are easier to break into or steal because they
do not have the technology to deter theft. She now has a new car with
an alarm and uses the Club.
She also recommends students make sure to take the faceplates of their stereos
out of the car with them.
Rhineberger is one of many dorm residents whose cars have been stolen overnight.
Senior Sair Lara had a similar experience his second year in the dorms.
His 1993 Acura Integra was stolen from Lot 14 in front of Parkside Commons
after he went to bed. The vehicle was found two months later in Norwalk, stripped
of its parts.
“ It was the worst feeling,” said Lara, who said he felt completely
helpless. He has since bought a motorcycle and makes sure to lock it up
on campus.
“ A lot of students in the dorms have had problems with their cars,” he
said. “I think University Police should patrol the parking lots more
late at night.”
The
dorms are not the only areas with the
problem of motor vehicle thefts. According
to the Long Beach Police Department,
the streets surrounding CSULB—Atherton
Street, Seventh Street, Bellflower Boulevard
and Palo Verde Avenue— have had
3, 47, and 40 car thefts in the years
2002, 2003, and 2004, respectively. One
theft in 2003 occurred at a non-campus
building, meaning a fraternity, sorority
or Foundation site.
The University Police suggest using a Club, a kill-switch or an alarm to help
deter motor theft. They also advise students to park in lighted areas,
lock their vehicles, and place personal property out of sight.
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