bookstore policy
Dear Editor,
After an unanticipated act of crime this past weekend outside the university bookstore, I have begun to question the capability of campus security and the logic behind the rule of “leave-your-backpack-outside-the-bookstore-when-you-enter.” Last Friday, a friend of mine left her backpack on the shelves outside the bookstore while entering to buy a few supplies. During the brief time she was inside the store, a criminal approached her backpack, opened it, and walked off with her purse and other valuables. When my friend became aware of the crime, it was too late. Unable to locate a campus police officer near the bookstore, she tearfully found her way to the campus police station. While reporting the incident, the best advice the police could give, which offered little hope to my friend, was “You better hope that the assailant isn’t very smart, because if he is, he can do a lot of damage with all your information.” Why is it that the bookstore can protect itself against the cost of stolen supplies at the cost and risk to students? I guarantee you that my friend is a whole lot worse off without her wallet, driver’s license, bank card, and cell phone then the bookstore would be if this same criminal had stolen a few scantrons. Where was the campus police at this time? With their crime-fighting eyesight, they would have most assuredly seen someone open a backpack and depart with a purse. At least I would hope so. Due to the current ineffectiveness of a campus officer stationed by the door, the least the university could do is place a couple of cameras outside the bookstore. This way, any crime would be recorded and the offender’s face caught on video. It was a bad weekend for my friend as a result of two reasons; the maliciousness of one person and the negligence of the university. If the thief reads this, they can keep the money but at least return the valuables. I know you have the address. Also, let the university take action and change the policy it imposes on students entering the bookstore.
-Greg PetersonStudent #608-10-7100gjpeterson@cc.usu.edu