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TechnographTheft at Illini Union increases
University Police advise students
By Elizabeth Kim
Posted: 2/27/06 Section: News
Over the past several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of thefts occurring within the Illini Union and its surrounding area, according to reports recorded by University Police.
Joonil Kwak, graduate student, said he recently had his wallet stolen from the recreational room of the Union while playing on the dancing machines.
"I left my things on the couch and figured that there were enough people around here that it would be all right to do so," Kwak said.
Martin McCrory, desk attendant in the Union recreational room and senior in FAA, said although theft is not something that often happens, it is still a big concern that students should be aware of.
"It is a very big concern especially because all it takes is one careless moment for somebody to leave their stuff on a couch (unattended) … especially if it is on a Friday or Saturday night when a lot of people are coming in and out," McCrory said.
After trying to review the tape from the security camera at the entrance of the recreational room, a student found out the camera had not been functioning lately.
Ed Slazinik, director of Illini Union, recently learned of the problem and expects it to be fully repaired in about a week.
"We need to replace it with a different type of camera," Slazinik said. "It is not that the camera is broken but it doesn't function in (accordance with) the lighting in the billiard room."
McCrory said two common ways in which things get stolen are when people leave their items unattended on the couches or when they fall asleep on the couches between classes.
"The rec room in general is a very safe place," McCrory said. "We do have police force and student patrol walk through here on a regular basis so almost always it is a very safe place to hang out."
Besides the recreational room, Slazinik said students have reported theft in very high traffic areas and not so high traffic areas, where most of the thefts involved students leaving their things unattended. For instance, after a meeting, he saw a backpack unattended for over an hour on the fourth floor of the Union.
Joonil Kwak, graduate student, said he recently had his wallet stolen from the recreational room of the Union while playing on the dancing machines.
"I left my things on the couch and figured that there were enough people around here that it would be all right to do so," Kwak said.
Martin McCrory, desk attendant in the Union recreational room and senior in FAA, said although theft is not something that often happens, it is still a big concern that students should be aware of.
"It is a very big concern especially because all it takes is one careless moment for somebody to leave their stuff on a couch (unattended) … especially if it is on a Friday or Saturday night when a lot of people are coming in and out," McCrory said.
After trying to review the tape from the security camera at the entrance of the recreational room, a student found out the camera had not been functioning lately.
Ed Slazinik, director of Illini Union, recently learned of the problem and expects it to be fully repaired in about a week.
"We need to replace it with a different type of camera," Slazinik said. "It is not that the camera is broken but it doesn't function in (accordance with) the lighting in the billiard room."
McCrory said two common ways in which things get stolen are when people leave their items unattended on the couches or when they fall asleep on the couches between classes.
"The rec room in general is a very safe place," McCrory said. "We do have police force and student patrol walk through here on a regular basis so almost always it is a very safe place to hang out."
Besides the recreational room, Slazinik said students have reported theft in very high traffic areas and not so high traffic areas, where most of the thefts involved students leaving their things unattended. For instance, after a meeting, he saw a backpack unattended for over an hour on the fourth floor of the Union.
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