Recent crime logs show a rise in theft and vandalism on both Portland and Gorham campuses. The past few weeks are rife with stories of car vandalism, trombone snatching, and theft of money and personal belongings. The USM Police Department has worked hard to combat acts of theft and the destruction of personal or University property. The problem is evident everyday at USM. There are ways students can protect themselves. Making themselves and others accountable for their actions can drastically cut down the rate of crime.
According to Det. Sgt. Ron Saindon of the USM Police Department, theft is a constant problem for universities nationwide. It is just a matter of how big a problem.
“Theft is a crime of opportunity,” Saindon said. “Most of the theft occurs in common areas such as student centers.”
In those areas, students relax and let their guard down. People will leave belongings unattended when going to the snack bar or an ATM, creating opportunities for thieves to act. Saindon urges students to keep a close eye on their belongings. When the opportunity to steal is cut down, crime occurs less frequently.
Justin Gove, a freshman Gorham resident, had his belt stolen last semester.
“I think theft is pretty ridiculous. Sometimes thieves steal an item that they could get on their own,” Gove said. “They are just making people’s lives a little more difficult.” Gove said he was lucky not to have anything of serious monetary value stolen.
Theft is not the only crime apparent on campus. Destruction of University and personal property occurs often.
The combination of students, police and resident hall staff working together to combat criminal mischief and property destruction has a huge toll on campus crime.
Jill Schofeld, a Gorham resident, is bewildered by random acts of theft. “I think it’s stupid. I don’t understand the point of it.”
Colin Winsor, a freshman jazz performance major, agreed. “There just seems to be gratuitous, senseless acts of vandalism.”
Winsor cited an incident of vandalism. “People take the caps off markers and walk down the hall leaving a line on the wall. I don’t understand why.”
Saindon said the answer to such malicious acts is community involvement. “Success on solving and preventing these crimes is based on information,” said Saindon. The channels exist for students anonymously to report crimes or suspicious behavior to the police. Students should call the police if they believe there is a situation somewhere that could lead to a crime or otherwise become out of control.
Cars have been a recent target for vandals. Rear windows have been shattered, side mirrors torn off, and paint scratched. Many parking lots on the Gorham campus are isolated. The police cannot stake out the parking lots.
“It is pretty easy for people to know where the police are on the Gorham campus,” Saindon said. Saindon urges people to report suspicious behavior to authorities.
Students can make the USM community safer by becoming eyes and ears for the police. “We care about this community,” Saindon said. He warns students “damage on campus may not necessarily be committed by a student.” High traffic areas, especially on the Portland campus, can bring in many people, and the thieves and vandals are not always connected with the University.
“Crime on campus is not by any means out of control,” Saindon said. He cited that a factor for a safe campus was the resident assistants and resident directors. “We are lucky to have capable RAs and RDs who do their jobs very well.”
Saindon added a lot of the random destruction is caused by alcohol abuse.
The USM Police Website is http://www.usm.maine.edu/police.
Andrew Dolby can be contacted at [email protected]