The topic of stealing is definitely not one that I am proud to be writing about. The simple fact is stealing although not common, does happen. With the diverse economical background of the students at school – there will be somethings that come up missing from time to time.
I have had to investigate some. First and foremost, the student points out that someone stole whatever they are missing.
Some of the items that have been stolen or missing are
- Ear buds and/or cases
- Water Bottles
- Backpacks
- Sports clothing or shoes
- Money/wallet
- Phone
- Bikes/Scooters
The investigation usually starts out with, “what is missing?” Where did you last see the missing object? What time did you notice that you were missing said object?
Our next steps are to look at the many lost and found areas. Whenever a student loses an item – another student or staff may pick it up and drop it off in the office. Office then gives found object to security to place in lost and found. Many of the items are usually returned with lost and found. Most found items have the location of where the item was found. Which makes marry up the item to owner – easier.
When that does not work – I will go to the video system to see if we can see the last time the owner and the item were together. This way we can watch to see what happens to the item. Many times, an item is dropped or left behind. We can see who picks up said item. Look them up and see where their next class is and retrieve the item. If the student that picked up the item does not come clean with the item. The video is shared with that student’s admin and they will take it from there.
Some areas are not under cameras – like locker rooms, restrooms, offices and classrooms. Anything that comes up missing from those areas, require much more work. Especially when we are dealing with money and the expensive sports shoes. Not completely impossible as we can use the cameras to see which people were in and out of the particular area that the item came missing from. Likelihood of successful return is much lower. We usually work with the coaches, PE teachers and/or teachers to get more information.
During the school year, the lost and found is full up with water bottles (many of them are the expense kind). Messages and announcements go out to the complete school, about if you lost anything – please go to lost and found in security to reclaim your item before the end of the year. At the end of the year, all unclaimed lost items are donated to various charities to help out folks in need.
How can you make sure that you are not a victim?
- Make sure to hang onto your stuff at all times. Some many of the stolen items are because the item was left in the cafe, left in the class or just did not make it back in the backpack when the student was walking to class. They are your items! Keep them close or keep a close eye on them.
- Money is a difficult one! I am not sure how much money is needed at school, but from some of the dollar amounts that I investigated that was taken, definitely did not need to be on person. If you have PE, sports academy and sports in general – don’t bring the money! Locking the money up in the student’s locker you would think it safe, but have you kept your combination completely safe from those eyes around you.
- Clothing – usually the hoodies, jackets or sweatshirts. Make sure to place those items in your backpack right after the student takes it off! Almost all of these items were left behind!
I know that there will always be some students that will decide to take another student’s stuff. It comes down to not making easy for that to happen. Overall success rate on getting missing items back is better than 75%. Many items were already placed in lost and found. Money is the one item that is difficult to get back – that success rate was less than 25%.
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