Property theft is occurring more often on campus, but the University Police Department has an online solution to stolen property. Operation Lockout Theft allows students, staff and faculty to register their important possessions online.
“Operation Lockout Theft has been in place for several years,” Shawn Burns, West Texas A&M University Chief of Police, said. “It is the first year of it being online.”
Operation Lockout Theft allows students to register their belongings online using the serial numbers. The police department will then know exactly which item belongs to which student in the case of theft.
“IT maintains a good working relationship with the police department,” James Webb, Chief Information Officer of WTAMU, said. “[We] handle technology requests to improve overall security for the campus.”
If an item is missing but not registered, UPD will not be able to verify to whom the possession belongs to when it is found.
“We’ve seen an increase in theft, particularly in bicycles,” Burns said. “Crime ebbs and flows. Most are from unsecured property.”
The online registry can act as a deterrent to potential thefts. With increased enrollment on campus and more students potentially using Operation Lockout Theft, potential thieves will be less willing to steal property.
“Cell phones, TVs, anything with a serial number can be registered,” Burns said.
Non-residential students can also register their belongings with Operation Lockout Theft.
However, simply registering your items may not be enough of a crime deterrent for potential thieves. UPD urges students, faculty and staff to secure their property as well.
“Lock the door, even if you’re just going down the hall,” Burns said. “Most of the thefts we see [on campus] are crimes of opportunity.”
UPD received a total of 47 larceny theft reports in 2013. Potential thieves run risks of fines and jail time, but could also face suspension from the university.
“They would be called before a conduct officer and would have an initial meeting,” Linda Washington, Executive Secretary of the Vice President of Student Affairs, said. “After that meeting, it would be determined if they were found in violation or not.”
If a student is found in violation of student conduct, the punishment ranges from a initial warning to a suspension from the university.