By Tatsuya Hidano, junior

The Friends University campus recently was hit by a new rash of car break-ins. In two weeks, five cars were broken into in the Garvey Physical Education Center and the Olive White Garvey Business and Technology Building parking lots.

“It doesn’t take much to take your property,” said Richard Vinroe, director of security.

It takes about a minute to scope inside a car, get in, take items and run, said Vinroe, who had been a police officer for 21 years before he came to Friends 16 years ago.

The items stolen included an MP3 player and a purse with credit cards, which someone used at the Towne West mall after the incident.

Because of similarities in how the cars were broken in, the campus security believes one person or a group is responsible for the incidents. But they do not have a lead related to the break-ins.

The University’s security reinforced patrols this year, and it successfully reduced vandalism, Vinroe said. Security also uses the campus e-mail to warn of break-in possibilities.

However, there is only so much the security can do, and some people still leave things in cars. Even valuables like a wallet and an iPod are left uncovered and visible through a car’s glass windows.

One of the victims last week, Nate Hills, noticed one thing missing, besides a shuttered car window: a Scripture in a tote bag.

“The individual might’ve thought it was a video camera or something, which looked very much like one,” said Hills, a junior majoring in music. “I hope that the individual will read the Scripture, move on with life and be happy.”
With the opportunities in sight, criminals take action.

Covering an item with a jacket is not enough to protect your property in a car, Vinroe said.

“If you are going to leave your property in your car, leave it in your trunk,” he said. “It is a lot harder to get to it.”
He also emphasized the importance of partnership among the campus community.

“I can’t protect you alone,” Vinroe said. “It’s gonna take an effort from everyone.”

He suggested that everyone on campus let security know when he or she finds anything unusual.
“It’ll give us an opportunity to find out.”

Campus security can be reached at 295-5911.