The first half of the semester has highlighted the importance of properly securing personal transportation on campus. Whether a scooter left outside during class or a bike kept in a rack, these challenges remind students to take small steps that help keep belongings safe.
One student, Arianna Pigott, freshman music education major, had her bike stolen from the bike rack in front of the Simmons Hall building. Pigott explained how the situation unfolded.
“Someone had cut the bike lock and put the bike in their car on Diana. They jumped the gate; they didn’t come through CBU,” Pigott said.
Pigott contacted CBU Safety Services a few days later, and they reviewed the past camera footage to determine what had happened. They also recommended that she file a police report with the Riverside Police Department.
Although she did not get her bike back, Pigott’s friends and roommate were able to help her get around.
“My roommate has a car. For church, there are people willing to pick me up,” Pigott said.
Despite the frustration and inconvenience, her friends and the CBU community came together to support her.
How can students prevent this from happening to themselves and others?
John Freese, director of safety services, discussed ways to avoid theft on campus. Freese explained that the leading cause of bike and scooter thefts was students not locking their items.
“The vast majority of [thefts] that are reported to us by students as being stolen are not locked,” Freese said.
Freese also shared one way CBU is addressing the issue. The Campus Store offers what he described as “subsidized quality U-locks” for $10.
“We try to make it easy for students to obtain a good quality lock, and if they use it that is really the best way to prevent the theft,” Freese said.
He encouraged students who do not have locks or who use weaker locks to take advantage of the deal. Freese also recommended writing down the make, model and serial number of bikes, scooters and skateboards so that stolen items can be more easily returned to their owners.
He also noted that most thefts were not committed by students. Freese estimated that 98% of thefts on campus were committed by non-affiliates of CBU.
“We really rely on our students and staff to be part of our team, part of what I call the ‘see something, say something’ principle,” Freese said.
This meant reporting suspicious behavior so Safety Services could respond quickly.
“Because we can’t be everywhere, we need our community to partner with us,” Freese said.
Although thefts still happen, students can take precautionary measures and support one another when items are stolen. Whether reporting suspicious behavior or offering friends rides, the CBU community continues to show care and support through difficult circumstances.
