Theft in Gym Needs to Stop
NEIRAD enilno edition
I write this out of my grief as the experience of theft has just happened to me. Recently while attending my period 7 gym class, my iPod and $30 from my wallet were stolen from my backpack. Through advice from gym teachers, I alert everyone whose belongings have been stolen to immediately report it to the main office. It is imperative that you inform the school if you want even a small possibility of having your items found or replaced.
Just from period 7 gym class alone, four iPods have been stolen along with mine since the first quarter. This includes two iPod touches and two iPod classics. This crime throughout the school has to be stopped. High school kids should be old enough and responsible to keep their hands off other people’s possession. In addition, it is just outrageous that someone would have the gumption to search through everyone’s backpack: this behavior is fueled by cruel greed.
One can never realize how hard it is for someone to lose something unless it happens to them. However, if they put themselves in someone else’s perspective and watch them lose something of great value that they have loved it might hit home a little more closely.
Until then, it is impossible to realize the pain and suffering that person has expereinced. For example, there are times in which I want to listen to my iPod, but realize it is missing. During these instances, time seems to passes longer and I just need music. The culprit must be found and it is essential to deliver any information about these incidents to the main office. It is necessary for these actions to stop and equally important to have the thief caught.
My thoughts were confirmed after a conversation I had with the Darien Police Department. “The problem with the locker rooms is that the lockers are not big enough to secure backpacks,” Darien Police Captain Fred Komm said.
When an item is stolen, it is imperative to report it to the main office. They will give the victim a form to fill out to help administrators in trying to identify the items and culprit. They will check the security cameras to try and catch the thief. If he or she is caught, the consequence is not set but will most likely be a suspension from school. In some cases the student could also be face arrest by the Darien Police Department.
However, there are some solutions to put forward to solve this recurring problem. Some of them include placing one’s backpack in sight of the security cameras. In this case, if someone takes and object from a backpack it may be recorded. In addition, all valuable items should be taken into the gym or in a regular locker. Lastly, a teacher without a class would most likely allow a student to place his backpack in their room for one period.
All of these strategies are good ways to prevent theft. However, the best way to avoid an object from being stolen is to leave it at home. I was too naïve to think that this would never happen to me, but this experience will change my view forever. From now on I will learn to be more careful when leaving my backpack out of sight and will always keep all my possessions safe.
