Last week, four parties reported the theft of personal property from the Jim Miller Parking Structure. 

According to Ricardo Gonzalez, deputy chief of Chapman Public Safety (PSAFE), an investigation pointed to a female suspect, who surveillance footage shows walking around the parking structure looking for vehicles with unlocked doors or partially rolled down windows. 

“This was an isolated incident and a crime of opportunity,” Gonzalez told The Panther. “We immediately searched the structure for other unlocked vehicles and contacted the owners to prevent any further thefts.” 

The Jim Miller Parking Structure primarily serves as parking for students residing in the on-campus dorms but also functions as an overflow lot for the Anderson and Barrera parking structures during the day. 

Loren de Los Santos, a freshman broadcast journalism and documentary major, believes PSAFE should assume a more prominent presence in campus parking structures following the recent thefts. 

“In addition to doing what we can to protect our own cars, (I) think (PSAFE) should have somewhat more of a presence within Jim Miller than I usually see,” de Los Santos said. “I am concerned about someone possibly stealing registration papers that have my name and address.”

Similarly, sophomore broadcast journalism and documentary major Bella Leach said incidences of property theft at Chapman have made her more cautious about bringing valuables onto campus.

“Property theft is an ongoing issue that has not had many resolutions,” Leach said. “It gives students an extra thing to worry about and makes me think twice about whether or not I locked my car and if I need to take out some of my personal items like my softball equipment or laptop.” 

Gonzalez advises all students who park in Jim Miller to keep their vehicles locked at all times and report any suspicious activity to the Department of Public Safety or the Orange Police Department. 

“(After the incident) we sent a crime alert to all the residents, which included our new crime prevention: ‘Lock, Hide, Take,’” Gonzalez said. “Lock your car. Hide your property. Take your valuables.”

Concerns about safety are not just limited to Jim Miller. According to a sophomore Chapman Grand resident who opted to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from fellow residents or university administration, multiple emails have been sent out to residents stating that each student needs to swipe to get into the parking garage at Chapman Grand. 

“I watch lines of five-plus cars follow people (into the parking garage) without swiping,” the resident said. “It’s really no surprise to me that there are thefts there, let alone Jim Miller. It’s made me not leave my apartment at night, because as a female, I worry about not just my car’s safety, but also my own everywhere on campus.”

de Los Santos said she feels students should have a right to feel safe parking on campus. This incident has reminded her to continue locking her car and reconsider what items she feels comfortable bringing to campus. 

“There’s nothing bad about being extremely careful,” de Los Santos said.