Since there have been several thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles parked at residential parking lots, students have raised concern about security cameras. One of the parking lots had closed circuit TV cameras while another parking lot had no cameras, according to the police report.
“We’ve been fortunate to have much less crime in parking lots, and inside buildings for that matter, than a lot of campuses that are located next to an urban area, I guess that’s a good way to describe Dayton, but despite that we still have to work very hard to secure the area,” said Dan Bertsos, the Director of Residence Life and Housing.
All the existing cameras in the housing areas have been in the process of being replaced and then the process of deciding if and were new cameras need to be set up will begin, according to Bertsos.
“The fence on Zink Road leaves people with only one way to come in and out of our campus when it was installed a number of years ago. It has made a big difference in reducing criminal activity on campus,” said Bertsos.
Residents have been made aware to contact the Wright State University Police Department immediately if there is any notable suspicious or criminal activity around campus housing or parking, according to Bertsos.
“I have seen so many police officers around and asking if we need any help or if anything’s okay,” said Taylor Mullins, a freshman resident at the Honors dorms, when asked about security and safety, “I feel like they’ve taken good measures when it comes to safety, but there’s still so much more that needs to be done.”
Two additional patrols of campus housing for Second Shift Patrol Units have been put into effect since the first theft occurred, according to police reports.
“There are cameras all throughout the building and Resident Assistants almost always on duty,” said Miranda McCloskey, a freshman who lives in the Honors community, “I wouldn’t say anything about the dorms, but I do feel there should be more cameras around campus.”
McCloskey wasn’t aware of the thefts until her roommate informed her about the incidents.
“I feel that I, myself, is safe but sometimes I question the safety of my belongings,” said Melody Roop, a freshman who lives in the Honors dorm building, “The only thing I think could be improved would be cameras in the parking lot, as I said before, but other than that I feel safe here.”
Roop heard about the thefts from one of her professors and did not receive an email alerting her to the recent crimes near campus housing.
The Woods, Hamilton Hall, and the Honors Community are the three dorm communities on campus. College Park, Forest Lane, University Park, and The Village are the four on-campus apartment complexes. Two of the reported thefts occurred near College Park and one happened near the Honors Community.
The Wright State University Police Department did not comment for this story.
