By Jessica Skaggs
The college gym is taking new preventive measures in response to recent thefts and with the intent of deterring more thefts from taking place in the future.
In the spring of last year, the college experienced multiple reports of gym thefts in both the lifetime fitness center and locker rooms. Over the summer and this semester, the men’s locker room has been the primary area of reported thefts.
Thefts are not only allegedly taking place with unlocked items. Items are reportedly being taken from locked lockers as well, as they are being broken into with the use of bolt cutters.
Cameras monitoring the hallways and entryways are to be installed as soon as possible. However cameras alone are not going to solve the ongoing problem.
“With a camera, you just get a picture,” Dan Robles, crime prevention officer said. “What we are also wanting to do is increase our presence.”
A major element to the college’s response to the thefts includes training gym staff on what they can do to prevent and deter thefts. Gym employees will now wear name tags to distinguish their presence.
Additionally, the fitness center has placed large new signs in the hallways, locker-room doors and above the wall of cubby-holes, reminding students not to leave valuables behind.
“My recommendation to anybody would be to either leave valuables at home or leave them in the trunk of their car,” Joe Weis, director of Health and Physical Education (HPR).
The gym staff as well as the campus police, have worked together to try to create a safe environment for everyone using the facility. Encouraging students and faculty alike to take their own preventive measures is a key aspect in their attempts to reduce thefts.
“What we’re doing to prevent some of it is teaching the students who put stuff in locker rooms, what they have to do to prevent or deter thefts,” Jim Dice, HPR and clinic coordinator said.
Contact Jessica Skaggs, managing editor, at jskaggs4@jccc.edu.