Preventing Crime at Mt. SAC
Cami Hernandez
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: News
Security at Mt. SAC has become more watchful over the past few years due to the increase in crimes reported. However, even with the additional security, there have been 19 burglaries and two motor vehicle thefts in the present year alone. The number of burglaries for 2007 is already exceeding last year's.
"There are about 30,000 students, 7,000 parking stalls and only a few officers," said Jeff Parker, director of public safety.
Mt. SAC security works alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, the Cal Poly Police Department and a unit of volunteers. Despite all the safety measures, campus security officers recognize that because it is an open campus, it is very difficult to put a stop to every crime.
"We do our best to prevent crime, we have visible patrol and even civilian cars patrolling from our unit of volunteers, but it is also the responsibility of the individual to protect his or her property," Parker said.
For parking lot security and car safety, taking simple measures such as double checking door locks, making sure all windows are rolled up and not leaving valuable objects in plain sight can delay and deter a thief.
"Sometimes students are rushing to go to class and they forget to lock their doors or they leave their windows rolled down," Parker said.
Mt. SAC student Frank Zambrano, 19, is taking precautions to avoid being a victim of a burglary.
"I always take my iPod with me when I go to class because I don't think it's safe to leave it in my car," he said. "I also lock all my doors and check my windows before heading to class, because you never know."
Like Zambrano, students can make changes in their daily routine to help prevent some of the crimes that happen, not only in the parking lot, but also in the classrooms.
Items such as backpacks, purses, wallets, textbooks and other personal properties are stolen almost everyday, usually because they are left out in the open. Not leaving stuff unattended, especially in between breaks, can alleviate the problem.
"Many students leave their stuff behind in the classroom while they take a quick break," Parker said. "Their bags open, iPods in plain view…they can prevent these crimes, if they just take their stuff with them when they go get a snack."
Both students and public safety officers can contribute to a more secure campus.
"We just want to alert the community and be proactive to discourage offenders," Parker said. "Because nobody wants to be a victim."
"There are about 30,000 students, 7,000 parking stalls and only a few officers," said Jeff Parker, director of public safety.
Mt. SAC security works alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, the Cal Poly Police Department and a unit of volunteers. Despite all the safety measures, campus security officers recognize that because it is an open campus, it is very difficult to put a stop to every crime.
"We do our best to prevent crime, we have visible patrol and even civilian cars patrolling from our unit of volunteers, but it is also the responsibility of the individual to protect his or her property," Parker said.
For parking lot security and car safety, taking simple measures such as double checking door locks, making sure all windows are rolled up and not leaving valuable objects in plain sight can delay and deter a thief.
"Sometimes students are rushing to go to class and they forget to lock their doors or they leave their windows rolled down," Parker said.
Mt. SAC student Frank Zambrano, 19, is taking precautions to avoid being a victim of a burglary.
"I always take my iPod with me when I go to class because I don't think it's safe to leave it in my car," he said. "I also lock all my doors and check my windows before heading to class, because you never know."
Like Zambrano, students can make changes in their daily routine to help prevent some of the crimes that happen, not only in the parking lot, but also in the classrooms.
Items such as backpacks, purses, wallets, textbooks and other personal properties are stolen almost everyday, usually because they are left out in the open. Not leaving stuff unattended, especially in between breaks, can alleviate the problem.
"Many students leave their stuff behind in the classroom while they take a quick break," Parker said. "Their bags open, iPods in plain view…they can prevent these crimes, if they just take their stuff with them when they go get a snack."
Both students and public safety officers can contribute to a more secure campus.
"We just want to alert the community and be proactive to discourage offenders," Parker said. "Because nobody wants to be a victim."
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