Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Sept. 12, 2012, edition 1 / Page 2
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Campus larceny leads to surveillance camera installation Sheldon Schenck sschenck@unca.edu - Staff Writer An increase in on campus lar ceny and vandalism led to the recent addition of surveillance cameras at the entrance to most academic buildings and resi dence halls at UNC Asheville, according to students. Though campus crime re ports show UNC A to be a more peaceful campus among schools in the system, there were sever al incidents of larceny and van dalism during the summer, and during the spring semester and fall semester of last year. In July, three reported vehicle break-ins in the Zagier parking deck and Lot C, behind Carol Belk Theatre on University Heights were reported. In April of last semester, eight incidents of larceny were reported either in the residence halls or in other buildings on campus. Most months average four or five reported incidents of larceny on campus, accord ing to UNCA crime reports. The majority of cases occur in the residence halls, and occa sionally take place in the edu cational buildings and Sherrill Center. “I feel like people would be less likely to steal from other’s dorm rooms if they know they are on camera,” said Olivia Al len, a freshman at UNCA. According to crime reports, the items most frequently sto len are high-end technologies such as laptops, phones, iPods and televisions. “It would be devastating if someone came into my room and took anything,” said Han nah Coulston, a freshman at UNCA. “Even if it’s not an ex pensive item, they would still be taking my property and ma- jorly invading my privacy.” The security cameras are placed outside the entrances, while none exist inside the actual buildings or residence halls. “I do feel like the cameras will help prevent break-ins. However, I do think it would be more effective to have cameras in the halls instead of just at the entrance of the building,” Coul ston said. Students feel the security cameras do have the capacity to ensure their safety around campus, but that they are not necessarily the only effective measure. Blue emergency towers are also located around campus, and students’ OneCards are checked in the lobby of each residence hall after 8p.m. “I don’t necessarily feel the cameras play a role in the safe ty, but they don’t hurt,” said Maggie Booterbaugh, fresh man. “I mostly feel that the lock down of doors to all stu dents past 8 p.m. plays a larger role.” Many students either already feel safe on campus, or feel as though the addition of cameras is of little significance. “I don’t feel any safer with security cameras,” Allen said. “If someone was going to attack me, security cameras wouldn’t help immediately.” Students said they do feel as though the cameras provide them with an extra level of safety. “I have never felt that I was in any danger,” Coulston said. “I think cameras are always a great thing to have, especially on a college campus. I feel like the security cameras make me feel safer.” Though students view the campus as relatively safe, they still acknowledge the ever present risks. “I always feel safe in groups, but at night if I am walking by myself, then it’s a different sto ry,” Allen said. Even though the cameras Photo by Ricky Emmons - Assistant Photography Editor Security carneras have been installed outside of many dorms and class buildings on campus, including Karpen Hall. have been installed outside of most buildings on campus, stu dents like Madeleine Garcia- Johnson, a sophomore art his tory student, were uninformed about the cameras’ existence. “To be honest, I have not even noticed or heard about the new cameras on campus,” Garcia- Johnson said. Campus police were not available to comment on the nature of the new security cam eras. Upcoming Events T1mrsday,Sep.13 Galactic The Orange Peel WMnesfiay,Se|).12 Found Footage Festival The Grey Eagle 8 p.m. $10 9 p.m. $20 Wetl-A-Bration Featuring SpeakerOan Savage Thursday ^ptember 15 Free for students emformat www.unchalnedtour.org u.ri
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