Reported thefts increased at the Perry-Castañeda Library last month, according to UT Police Department data obtained by the Texan.
As of Oct. 30, there were 17 reported thefts at the PCL this year, excluding scooters and bikes. Ten of those reports were from October alone, but only three incidents at most were reported in the same month during 2022 and 2023. Last year, there were a total of six reported cases and 11 in 2022.
Ellis Eaton, an intelligence analyst for UTPD, said in an email the most common stolen items at the library are backpacks, computers and phones.
Travis Willmann, UT Libraries communications officer, said PCL staff members give out warning slips and make announcements about students leaving their possessions unattended when criminal activity increases in the building.
“It’s a way of informing (students) around the building that there have been incidents,” Willmann said. “They need to be vigilant (of) the way they
maintain responsibility over their personal items.”
Willmann said the warning slips are randomly handed out throughout the day when students leave their belongings unattended, but they are not penalized if they receive one. He said when students do this, they risk having their belongings stolen.
“If you went to the mall and left your purse sitting on a bench and went to the bathroom, there’s a good chance it’s not going to be there when you come back,” Willmann said. “We care very much about the security of our users, but there’s limitations to what we can do.”
Nutrition sophomore Sofia Flores said she leaves her belongings in her study area at the PCL when she goes to the restroom. However, the increase in thefts made her more cautious.
“I was in the PCL for a group project, and I was about to go to the restroom,” Flores said. “Suddenly there was an announcement. (It said) there were two thefts that day. I was like, ‘Oh, I’m not going to the restroom then. I’ll just wait.’”
Neuroscience sophomore Giselle Ibarra said when she studies alone and needs a break, she leaves her possessions unattended. She said she feels comfortable doing this.
“Since we’re all college students in these spaces … I have a lot of trust in (others),” Ibarra said. “Everybody’s in the same boat as me, so (I think they) won’t take my stuff.”
Flores said she doesn’t feel comfortable leaving her belongings alone unless there are
people around. She said she advised students to be more mindful of their possessions.
“I would hide all my valuables into a bag so (they’re) not out there,” Flores said. “Then (I’d) ask someone, ‘Can you watch over my stuff?’ while (I) go to the restroom or anywhere (I) need to go.”
Willmann said if students’ possessions were stolen, they should file a theft report with UTPD. Although the PCL has a security guard, he said it’s students’ responsibility to look out for
their belongings.
“We do have those (security) controls, which is meant as an extra layer of security for the folks who are working here at odd hours, but during the day, it’s open to the general public,” Willmann said. “We have to treat this space as we would any other public space.”
