Spring Break
Library theft increases
At least $8,000 worth of material stolen during one year
Anna Molin
Daily Staff Writer
The King Library security staff, which includes 11 people, uses an integrated security system with digital video, card key access and door alarms to guard the library, said Sgt. John Laws, library security supervisor.
Because of the security system, which incorporates several video cameras per fl oor and one camera per elevator, security personnel can monitor the activities in and around the library, Laws said.
However, despite these security features, the problem of theft is still an occurrence at the library, which has between 10,000 to 12,000 people coming through the building every day.
Laws said the thieves grab DVDs and compact discs more than other library materials. In addition, people steal and rip out pages of books and magazines.
"The library management is very concerned," said Jo Bell Whitlatch, associate dean of the King Library. Whitlatch said in addition to the $8,000 worth of documented losses, a number of books, CDs and DVDs have likely gone unnoticed by the security and library staff. Thus, in actuality, the monetary loss is larger than the documented outflow, Whitlatch said.
"In the beginning, nobody was stealing, but then people started getting used to being here and so stuff got stolen," Laws said.
Since the library's opening, campus police have recorded 228 thefts at the library, according to an incident summary by the University Police Department.
"We thought there would be higher crime rates (and) more theft while the students were in session," Laws said. "But then, summertime came around and our theft rate went way up."
In total, 114 thefts were recorded in the months of June, July and August, according to the incident summary. Ironically, 114 is the same number of thefts reported altogether from August 2003 to May 2004.
Laws said the crime rate and number of thefts at the library appear to have decreased since students returned this Fall semester.
"We haven't had nearly as many arrests since the semester started," Laws said.
However, the exact incident rate for the beginning of the semester cannot be assessed until the beginning of October, Laws said.
"We did have a lot of students that continued to come here throughout the summer, but most of the patrons during the summer were members of the public," Laws said, adding that campus police believe it is mostly teenagers who steal from the library.
Laws said he and city library officials have discussed the problem of theft and how to best manage the library materials.
"We have made recommendations and the city is looking into ways to try to deal with those recommendations," Laws said, adding that he prefers not to describe the nature of those recommendations for security reasons.
Maricris Demayo, a sophomore biology major, said stolen or missing library materials could inconvenience her in the future.
"It is unfair for you and me and other persons who might need to look at (a stolen item)," she said. "People don't understand that it is rude."
Demayo, who visits the library about three times a week, said because of the accessibility of information via the Internet, some people lack respect for books and other written materials.
"It goes back to prioritizing your time and having the time to look for what you need," Demayo said.
She said thievery adds stress to everyone's lives, especially the people who need to use the missing articles.
"Your life is already stressed out as it is -- why add more?" Demayo said.
She said she thinks people steal items from the library because they want to avoid paying for the item or don't have the time to make a photocopy.
Laws said some students vandalize or steal books and other materials from the library. For example, one female student ripped out a page from a library book and attached it to her history paper, Laws said. However, the professor recognized the cut out photograph and contacted the library staff, which found the book and the missing page.
The student was contacted by campus police and charged with petty theft, Laws said.
"So, for the price of a photocopy, she had to purchase a whole new book for the library and she had to go to criminal court," Laws said.
In another incident, a male student removed three pages from an automobile manual and tried to leave the library with the pages tucked into his bag, Laws said.
In a twist of fate, those particular pages had been treated with the material that sets off the book theft devices at the two library entrances, Laws said.
Library security staff arrested the student for theft.
David Yorke, a sophomore behavioral psychology major, said the alarm devices at the entrances would deter him from stealing if he ever had the urge.
"They're very effective, especially since they have the guards posted at every exit," Yorke said. "They would defi nitely deter me from deciding to take a book instead of checking it out."
Andy Kuo, a senior computer science major, said he has never noticed any theft at the library, but is troubled by its occurrence as it affects other patrons who want to use the library's resources.
"Because (library material) is free to use already, I don't see the point in stealing," Kuo said.
Other reported criminal or disturbing activities in or around the library include assault, possession of marijuana, drinking in public, lewd acts in public, resisting and delaying a police officer and bicycle theft.
According to the campus police report, the number of documented incidents since August 2003 amount to 616 (including theft). Of those incidents, 221 happened during the summer of 2004.
He said most people are unaffected by the disturbances that occur at the library on any given day.
"We try to take care of things quickly and quietly," Laws said. "It is not our job to make a bigger disturbance than there already was."
Laws said the library security staff takes an average of five to six police reports a day.
"Out of 12,000 people, if we make one arrest, that is just a minor inconvenience to a few people," he said.
Laws said since the library opened, his staff has made "lots of arrests." When an arrest is made, the individual is transported to Santa Clara County Jail where he or she is booked for the charge, Laws said.
According to state law, misdemeanor theft carries a penalty of up to $1,000 or up to one year in county jail, Laws said.
In addition, while a first offense of petty
theft may carry a lesser sentence, such as a fine
or community service, a second offense of petty
theft could put an individual in prison for at
least one year, Laws said.
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