Security in campus parking lots has been called into question following a rash of catalytic converter thefts, but the Vanderbilt Police Department reports that, in general, there has been no substantial increase in campus crime.
About a month ago, VUPD experienced seven reported thefts of catalytic converters from vehicles parked in campus lots, many of which are monitored in large part by mirrors and drive-by surveillance, not security cameras.
“Catalytic converter thefts have been a problem throughout Nashville, not just to Vanderbilt,” said VUPD Commander Andrew Atwood. “Last year after we had some thefts here at the university, we know that some key arrests were made by Metro Nashville police in relation to those.”
The situation has been similar this year. Following the arrest of two individuals by police at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and another arrest south of Nashville, the thefts have slowed.
Catalytic converters are part of the emissions system in automobiles and work to convert toxic pollutants into less-harmful exhaust. The devices are most frequently stolen because they contain platinum, according to Atwood.
“With the economy like it is, precious metals go up in price,” he said. While only a small amount exists in each converter, these amounts can add up with multiple thefts.
The most frequently targeted vehicles, according to VUPD Commander Brian Cozby, are SUVs and trucks, because they sit off the ground, and specifically, Toyota 4Runner and Tacoma models.
While it may be assumed that vehicles left unattended for large periods of time are at a substantially higher risk for theft, this is not necessarily the case.
“The way they’re connected, it’s very easy to disconnect them,” Cozby said. “By the time they spot the vehicle to the time they’re gone, two minutes.”
“Because (the thieves) specialize in one job, they can be very speedy,” Atwood added.
Instances of crime on the rest of campus remain stable. Despite the theft of two laptop computers from the Stevenson Center in early August, there has not been a noticeable increase in laptop thefts this semester compared to last year.
“The reports that we are having are petty theft: people leaving things unattended and others coming by and taking them,” Vanderbilt Student Government Security Committee Co-Chair Zye Hooks said.
However, to increase campus security, the Security Committee is evaluating the possibility of having additional cameras installed in Central Library, as well as campus parking garages.
“There haven’t been a lot of reports of theft going on in the garages, but there is a lack of security apparatus there,” Hooks said. “We have mirrors, but those don’t really suffice. We need cameras so we can watch what’s going on.”
Vanderbilt had experienced drastic decreases in campus crime between the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years, with burglaries decreasing 41 percent during that period.
“VSG has worked very closely in conjunction with VUPD to strengthen security on campus,” Hooks said. “This is a campus where no parent should feel that their child is in danger.”
Atwood encourages all members of the Vanderbilt community to register their laptops as well as bicycles through the “Operation ID” program on VUPD’s Web site. That program has recovered at least one student bike this semester.
“Metro police stopped someone west of campus who had a bike with a sticker on it,” Atwood said. “We were able to charge that person with theft of the bike and get it back to the rightful owner. If these items are not registered, then it is very hard to identify who owns them.”
Students who see suspicious activity are encouraged to alert VUPD by phone: (615) 322-2745 for non-emergencies and (615) 421-1911 for emergencies.
