Laptop Computer Thefts Surge On UW-Madison Campus
UW Police Say Thefts Have Increased 500 Percent Since Last Year
Updated: 7:17 am CDT April 14, 2009
MADISON, Wis. -- University of Wisconsin-Madison police said that they're seen a significant spike in laptop computer thefts on campus in recent months, prompting new calls for vigilance.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMadison Area Technical College has seen more than 30 laptops stolen since January, but the trend is also hitting those on the UW campus.UW police said that laptop thefts are up more than 500 percent this year as compared to 2008. In most cases, the crime is completely preventable, they said.As UW-Madison junior Amanda Merikas gets ready for class at a campus cafe, she's heeding the warnings about minding their personal property posted in many locations on campus."I've seen the signs up, especially in this cafe," Merikas said.But even with the posted warnings, she said she sees plenty of other's being careless with their belongings."It's pretty common for people to get up and leave their laptops and then go order food or coffee," Merikas said. "Some people actually ask you to watch their laptop while they go, but others don't."UW Police Sgt. Jason Whitney said that the theft of unattended laptops is a crime of opportunity. He said that they've investigated 21 laptop thefts since January. During the same time last year, they investigated only four, WISC-TV reported."People are leaving the laptops unattended, going to the bathroom, and going to get a drink," Whitney said. "You leave it there for five minutes. Somebody's been in the area watching, they see you walk away, they just pick it up and walk away."Authorities said that they can't point to one particular reason why they're seeing such an increase in the thefts, but they said laptops offer crooks a quick turnaround for cash.They said they believe some common sense can go a long way to preventing the thefts, WISC-TV reported."Even though that's a hassle -- to have to pack up your stuff for the five minutes that you may be gone -- it's going to save you a couple thousand dollars," Whitney said.For students like Merikas, it can save even more. Many students keep valuable files and other work on their laptop."Pretty much my entire life," Merikas said.Despite the increase in thefts, police said crime is otherwise down campus. They said that they're seeing the lowest crime numbers on campus in 35 years.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportMadison Area Technical College has seen more than 30 laptops stolen since January, but the trend is also hitting those on the UW campus.UW police said that laptop thefts are up more than 500 percent this year as compared to 2008. In most cases, the crime is completely preventable, they said.As UW-Madison junior Amanda Merikas gets ready for class at a campus cafe, she's heeding the warnings about minding their personal property posted in many locations on campus."I've seen the signs up, especially in this cafe," Merikas said.But even with the posted warnings, she said she sees plenty of other's being careless with their belongings."It's pretty common for people to get up and leave their laptops and then go order food or coffee," Merikas said. "Some people actually ask you to watch their laptop while they go, but others don't."UW Police Sgt. Jason Whitney said that the theft of unattended laptops is a crime of opportunity. He said that they've investigated 21 laptop thefts since January. During the same time last year, they investigated only four, WISC-TV reported."People are leaving the laptops unattended, going to the bathroom, and going to get a drink," Whitney said. "You leave it there for five minutes. Somebody's been in the area watching, they see you walk away, they just pick it up and walk away."Authorities said that they can't point to one particular reason why they're seeing such an increase in the thefts, but they said laptops offer crooks a quick turnaround for cash.They said they believe some common sense can go a long way to preventing the thefts, WISC-TV reported."Even though that's a hassle -- to have to pack up your stuff for the five minutes that you may be gone -- it's going to save you a couple thousand dollars," Whitney said.For students like Merikas, it can save even more. Many students keep valuable files and other work on their laptop."Pretty much my entire life," Merikas said.Despite the increase in thefts, police said crime is otherwise down campus. They said that they're seeing the lowest crime numbers on campus in 35 years.
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