The Wooden Center has experienced a number of property thefts in
recent weeks, but university officials said the spate is not
unprecedented.
Since Oct. 26, at least three incidents of backpacks and wallets
being stolen from the Wooden Center have been reported to the
police.
In most of the reported incidents, items were stolen from the
basketball courts in the building while their owners were
playing.
There are lockers in some parts of the Wooden Center for people
to secure their belongings, but many students simply leave their
things on the floor or in open cubbies in the main part of the
gym.
Nancy Greenstein, director of police community services at UCPD,
said this is not the first time police have been told of a series
of thefts at the Wooden Center.
“There will be periods where we get a sate of
thefts,” she said. “In those cases, we work with the
Wooden Center to apprehend someone if we can. They’re always
very cooperative.”
She added that in the past when the Wooden Center has
experienced a string of thefts, UCPD has sometimes been able to
trace them to one person.
Sara Garcia, a second-year undeclared student, said she had not
heard anything about the thefts at Wooden but is still careful to
keep her belongings with her when she goes to the gym.
“I used to leave my stuff in the cubbies, but now I
definitely keep it with me all the time,” she said.
Greenstein also emphasized the importance of students watching
over their property.
“Students should protect their valuables and make sure
they aren’t out in the open,” she said.
“Don’t assume everybody’s just there for a
friendly game of basketball.”
Garcia said she believes students leave their things out
unprotected because it is more convenient than securing them.
“There are lockers in the shower area, but people
don’t want to deal with that,” she said.
Lindsay Tang, a second-year psychology student, said she puts
valuables such as her iPod in a locker when she showers but
generally leaves her backpack in a cubby while she works out.
But she said the Wooden Center sold out of lockers the first day
she was there this year, and said she thinks many people do use
them.
Property crime has historically been the most common type of
crime on campus, comprising nearly 92 percent of total crime in
2005, according to UCPD’s Web site.