The recent string of catalytic converter thefts in University parking lots and the Monday shooting at Wolf Village raises concerns about campus safety and puts it back in the spotlight.
What is most disturbing about this apparent spike in crime is the responses to these two separate types of crime – people do not seem to be demanding action on the catalytic converter thefts and instead, focus on the on-campus shooting to re-ignite debate over current gun laws.
While the shooting may be more attention-grabbing, the thefts indicate a worrisome trend in on-campus crime. According to Capt. Jon Barnwell, N.C. State is handling the catalytic converter thefts as best it can. Campus Police is part of a problem-oriented policing program designed to detect patterns in criminal activity before they become problems.
Barnwell also emphasized the importance of immediately reporting any suspicious, potentially violent or intimidating behavior and thefts to Campus Police.
Campus Police is taking a step in the right direction. Now it’s time for the rest of the University to join these officers.
Shootings, robberies and other violent crimes are eye-catching, but theft is the more pervasive problem – thus, our attention should be properly focused on finding ways to reduce property crime.
The National Academy of Sciences report on gun legislation revealed that one cannot make any definite conclusions about the effect of firearms laws – and even when there was an effect, it took about 10 years to become noticeable.
It makes little sense for current students to fight tooth and nail for a legislative reform that will face significant opposition from University officials and require several years before having any effect.
Students should instead focus on efforts to reduce crime. Whether it’s getting into simple habits to guard themselves against crime to finding more creative solutions to preventing theft or violence on campus, students at NCSU need to come up with real solutions to real problems instead of fighting for rule changes that will take years to implement and take effect.
