A number of Department of Public Safety reports have shown that students who work out at the Lied Recreation Center have had problems with their personal belongings being stolen.

This does not necessarily have to be a problem, though, if students keep a closer watch on their things, said Steve Vanderkamp, director of the Lied Recreation Center.

Vanderkamp said there are some tips for avoiding theft while at the rec center.

“The biggest thing is don’t bring anything more than needed,” he said. “Just leave all but your most necessary items at home or in the car.”

He also advised that keeping an eye on your belongings can be helpful.

“Keep your stuff in sight and never leave it unattended,” Vanderkamp said. “It doesn’t take more than a few seconds to steal something, and if you’re three courts down from your stuff playing a pick-up game, it’s not going to be difficult for any thief.”

DPS Associate Director Jerry Stewart also had some tips on how to keep personal items secure.

“Storing all of your belongings in the lockers on the first floor can only help,” Stewart said. “You get your quarter back when you stick the key back in, so it’s virtually free. It takes a little longer, but it’s worth it.”

Stewart said he uses a locker every time he’s at the rec center, and he has never had any problems.

Vanderkamp agreed with Stewart’s advice and also said third-floor lockers may be installed sometime in the near future.

“I’ve spoken with Loras [Jaeger, director of DPS,] about this, and he is in support of it,” Vanderkamp said.

He said third-floor lockers would require a significant amount of additional funding.

Other measures that may be enacted to lower thefts at the rec center include moving the front desk and establishing a coat check service, Stewart said.

He said keeping good records is another way to protect belongings.

“Get those credit card numbers and check account numbers written down, as well as the number to call when you need to cancel them,” Stewart said. “Stolen credit cards often have been used as quickly as a half an hour later at North Grand Mall.”

Thefts usually have a tendency to increase during the winter months due to higher rec center usage, Vanderkamp said.

“The more people that come in, the more stuff that gets brought in, equals more stuff getting stolen,” he said.

Stewart said in the past, DPS has attempted to run sting operations during the winter months to catch some thefts in progress, but they have not been successful.

All in all, Vanderkamp said, it boils down to being careful.

“We’ll help people as much as possible,” he said, “but they still have to watch out for themselves.”