A Sitting Duck: Why you are a target to theives
by Jessica Husek

   College students often consider themselves poor. Low in funds, they can be seen scraping the interior of their car for money for the McDonald’s Dollar Menu. But college students may be wealthier than they think. Ball State students who leave their backpacks and purses unattended can be attractive targets for thieves, Gene Burton, director of University Police, said.
   “Students are carrying around items that are traditionally easy to pawn and sell for cash,” he said.
    And these items, when combined in one place, are usually worth more than students realize. Fifty Ball State students were polled regarding the valuables they own and carry around with them on a regular basis. These students carry items like mp3 players, cell phones, laptops, cameras and cash.
    About 36% of the polled students said they carry an iPod.  The portable mp3 player can cost up to $299 for the latest models, according to Apple’s web site. Students are also keeping cell phones with them when they are out of the house. Cell phones are offered at a discount rate through the cell phone service provider, but without a plan, students could be paying full price for a new phone, according to verizonwireless.com. About 26% of the students said their cell phone was less than two years old.  Without insurance, replacing a lost cell phone can cost more than $600 for newer models, according to the site.    Approximately 34% of polled students said they often keep their cameras with them in case they need to capture a photo. A new digital camera can cost more than $400 to replace, according to local electronic store prices.
   Ball State is a wireless campus, which encourages students to haul their portable computers to school for the free Internet access. Thirty-four% of students said they own a laptop, which is an extremely valuable item, not only in price but in personal documents. Personal laptop computers sold in electronics stores run from about $400 to $1000.  Macintosh laptops are required for students majoring in education. These laptops start at about $1000, according to Apple’s web site.
    In addition to all these items, students might also be carrying ash around, according to the poll.
    Over Winter Break, six thefts and five burglaries occurred in Muncie, Burton said. About 12% of polled students said they had been burglarized or robbed since the beginning of their college career. Burton said students can, however, take steps to protect their belongings.
   “First, and foremost, keep your items locked up,” he said. “Don’t provide easy access for criminals.”
    Make sure residential windows and doors are locked and avoid keeping valuable items in plain sight, he said. And when students are not at home, they should keep their portable items with them at all times.
   “Don’t leave your bag unattended for any period of time,” Burton said. “Whether you’re working out or studying in the library, make sure your items are secure.”