Campus sees less marijuana, more theft as 2016 begins

By Jonah Svihus /// Staff Writer

Lewis & Clark College has started the year off with an increase in reported thefts, but the college has maintained a downward trend in alcohol and marijuana student conduct referrals.

In January 2016, LC had four reported crimes: one report of Theft 1, which is the theft of property valued greater than $1,000; two reports of Theft 2, which is the theft of property valued between $100-$1,000; and one report of Theft 3, which is the theft of property valued less than $100.

Comparatively, January of 2015 had two reported crimes: one report of criminal mischief, which involves tampering with or damaging property, and one report of Theft 3.

This increase in theft on campus has caused some students to worry about the safety of their belongings on campus.

“The thievery on this campus is an epidemic,” Josh Fichera ’18 said. “I’ve had my jacket stolen from the dining hall, and I’ve had two shaker cups stolen from the weight room.”

Students are not the only members of the community who have been afflicted by the increase in theft. On Dec. 22, 2015, the Provost’s office sent out a letter to the LC community detailing a number of thefts that occurred. The email stated the following: “[On Dec. 17,] eleven Mac Mini computers were stolen on the undergraduate campus from Howard Social Science Building classrooms by an unknown person…Two nights later, during the late evening, unknown persons broke the windows out of four students’ vehicles which were parked together in the Upper Griswold parking lot…[On Dec. 22,] unknown persons entered Wood Hall at the Law School and stole one Apple MacBook Pro laptop from a faculty office.”

January 2016 marked a decrease in marijuana and alcohol student conduct referrals. In January 2014, there were 24 marijuana and alcohol referrals; January 2015 had ten marijuana and alcohol referrals; January 2016 had eight marijuana and alcohol referrals.

The level of crime at the start of 2016 has decreased from the previous year, but LC is still suffering from theft on campus, causing some students to worry about the safety of the school.

“This campus is littered with a shady criminal element that sleeps under the facade of smiles and good intentions,” Fichera said.