Some of us leave our belongings for a split second, only to return and find that our book bag, textbook, or purse is nowhere to be found. Some of us fall asleep, only to wake up and realize that our cellphone and laptop are gone.
A tiny note card sometimes sits in its place explaining that you’ve been ripped off by the Police Department at Sinclair Community College. The note card will then give instruction as to where the items can be picked up and why the items were taken.
“The biggest crime problem is theft of unattended property,” said Chief of Police Charles Gift. “A student safety officer will collect any unattended property and then leave a Rip-Off Card for the student to get their property back.”
Other students, faculty and staff aren’t as lucky.
“We stress highly for students, faculty or staff to keep their property under control at all times, even if they are in the restroom, don’t leave it unattended, because it disappears,” Gift said. “We do recover some of the unattended property, but often times; if a student’s book bag is stolen, the book bag is returned with no books and the books are then sold.”
Gift said crimes at Sinclair are usually committed by non-students, due to the fact that Sinclair is an open campus.
Gift advises all students, faculty or staff to keep their eyes on their property to avoid being a victim of a crime of opportunity.
“A crime of opportunity is one that wouldn’t happen except for the fact that the suspect or perpetrator just happens to see the property unattended, so therefore they take it,” Gift said. “That gives them the opportunity to take the property. If we all here on campus kept our property secured, then the perpetrator wouldn’t take it.”
The Police Department also provides safety tips for students, emergency blue lights throughout the campus and escorts to and from their vehicle if students, faculty or staff need it, according to Gift.
Part of the Police Department’s mission is to provide a secure and safe environment for students, faculty and staff but Gift said that everyone plays a role.
“Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings,” Gift said. “It is the best way to avoid any potential problems on campus.”
In the past, there have been two robberies. A purse grabbing occurred in 2009, in which three students grabbed a staff member’s purse. They were all arrested and sent to juvenile detention. In 2010, a student used a box cutter knife to threaten and rob another student. The student was ultimately arrested and convicted of robbery and sent to the Montgomery County jail, according to Gift.
“Sinclair is the safest area in the City of Dayton and we have a very low incidence of crime compared to other colleges and universities,” Gift said.
For more information, or if anyone has been a victim of a crime, contact Sinclair police immediately at 512-2700.