UCLA Housing Services will remove the metal racks outside the dining facilities starting next week, in response to the recent increase in backpack thefts outside the dining halls.
According to the email, UCPD learned that “organized groups” who are not associated with UCLA are targeting the dining halls. Students have reportedly had laptops, cell phones, money and other valuables stolen by leaving their bags unsecured in the metal racks.
Students will now have to secure their belongings in the lockers outside the dining hall while they eat, according to an email from Executive Director of Office of Resident Life Suzanne Seplow and Assistant Vice Chancellor of Housing and Hospitality Services Pete Angelis, sent to Hill residents today. Any personal items left on the ground and not properly secured will be removed by UCLA staff and taken to a Lost and Found location near the front desk, the email read.
In order to reduce the inconvenience this will cause, current lockers in Covel Commons and De Neve will be converted to “tokenless.” Additionally, the dining halls will have racks inside the dining halls and can be used if all the lockers are taken.
Students can take laptops and tablets into the dining halls, but are advised to not leave their items unattended. Housing officials recommend that students leave their belongings in their rooms while dining, according to the email.
Seplow and Angelis said Housing and ORL are working on a long-term solution, which includes purchasing and installing additional lockers.
Compiled by Chandini Soni, Bruin contributor.