As college students on a budget, most of us can relate to the fact that things are not cheap. MacBooks do not grow on trees, and neither do textbooks, nor other expenses. With that being said, it is important to stay vigilant of student’s personal belongings as larceny remains the highest reported crime here at USF.
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Larceny, defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary, is “The unlawful taking of personal property with intent to deprive the rightful owner of it permanently.” Many students are not aware of the crimes here on campus let alone the fact that stealing is a major problem every year.
For example, In 2015, The University of South Florida’s police department reported approximately 522 crimes. 463 of those crimes were larceny.
In the universities arrest reports only 356 people were arrested, and 31 of those arrests were made out of the reported 463 larceny cases. As a contrast, reports show a decrease in 2016 crime rates. There were 331 crimes reported of which 262 were larceny. 21 arrests were made for larceny. Last year, in 2017, 281 crimes were reported as 221 larcenies. Charges 21 out of 221 were arrested for larceny.
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Over the past three years there was a decrease in the number crimes being reported. Meanwhile, larceny consecutively remains one of the most under solved crimes. Furthermore, theft in general can be hard to catch, even with cameras. People are persistently finding new ways to steal. Students can remain vigilant and this collective presence may help to reduce the incidents on campus. Here are a few tips to consider in order to protect your things:
- Leaving exposed items on a car seat or leaving personal items near a complete stranger invites unwanted attention that could subject you to larceny. Students should consider taking their things to the bathroom and asking the stranger to save their seat instead.
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 Keep your vehicles locked at all times. If you have a gut feeling that you did not lock your car, trust it and check. It is worth it.
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When moving into a dorm with a new person I know we all want to believe people are good but take precautions. Get a little safe that you can put all your valuables in. Find hiding spots that you can remember and keep account of your money. If someone asks to borrow something, don’t be afraid to say no.
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Stop rushing. When we rush we usually forget things. Remember everything you brought with you. Maybe even write it on your hand.
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With these few tips I hope we can decrease, if not eliminate the theft here on campus.