By Maisie Covert and Christian Bell

Staff Writer and News Editor

The first two months of school have yielded a large number of thefts and vandalism involving cars parked on campus, leaving victims with many questions and few answers.

Since August, Calvin has experienced eight break-ins involving cars. The crimes have included smashed windows and stolen stereo systems. Most of the acts took place during the late evening or early morning hours in the East Beltline and Kalsbeek-Huizenga parking lots.

In order to protect the vehicles and property of students at Calvin, Campus Safety cars patrol the campus both night and day. Gerry Steele, director of Campus Safety, explained that during a patrol, the cars cover the entire campus, but the main focus of the patrols is on the parking lots. Steele estimated that a single campus safety car might pass through a given lot up to 20 times in an evening.

However, that has not been much relief to the students whose vehicles have been compromised. Many students say they are disappointed by Campus Safety's reaction, which students describe as lackluster.

``When I came up here, I had faith that nothing like this would happen here either,'' said one student, who wished to remain anonymous. ``I was confident that the campus police would be patrolling the parking lots and making sure that such a thing did not occur.''

``I was very disappointed in Calvin's reaction to my CD deck theft,'' said another anonymous student. ``Yes, they followed procedure with a form and report, but they made no plans to increase security. They advised me to call the Grand Rapids police, but I think that should be their responsibility.''

``My car was broken into a couple weeks ago,'' said a student who requested to be identified only as ``Derek.'' ``The net worth of everything taken was well over $3,000. I feel like Campus Safety let me, along with all other students whose cars got broken into, down. That night I was up studying late. This happened around 4:00 a.m. I was told. I went out at midnight, walked all the way to my car, and the Campus Safety guard was sitting in the back of the lot reading. What good does that do? I do not like spending hundreds of dollars replacing things because you cannot protect my car. I must say the security guards at my high school were better.''

The criticisms of Campus Safety's response to the situation from the victims are stinging, but Campus Safety maintains that it is doing its job effectively.

``We never think something is adequate if it happens to us,'' Steele said in response. ``We have officers assigned to those lots 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means that with all the parking lots that it would take a maximum of 7-10 minutes [between patrols] per lot.

``We have lots with 600 to 700 cars. To be able to spot a window as broken on a car is extremely difficult,'' he added. ``When we discover them, we run the parking permit if there is one, otherwise we have to run a license number, and if not registered, we have to go to the Secretary of State.

``The sooner we notify [students] and they come, the sooner we can clear the scene. We try to notify them right away and get them out to the scene. We want to confirm that we have a crime and do the proper report and investigation. We have no motive of delay in that process.''

Some students also complained that during harsh weather, their cars filled with rain or snow, and suggested Campus Safety should help protect their vehicles from the elements.

``When my car had been broken into, it had snowed about 4 inches that night, and my car was filled with snow,'' explained another student who requested anonymity. ``It took about a week to dry out. [Campus Safety] could have at least been courteous and covered the window with plastic or something to keep the snow out.''

``We really aren't in the business to fix their car for them when they're broken into,'' Steele responded. ``We call them to the scene, [but] we don't offer materials to fix their cars. That's not part of our program.''

Steele acknowledged that the issue involving theft and vandalism involving vehicles is a problem, but claims that it has not considerably grown this year in proportion to any other year. Last year, Calvin experienced 37 acts of automobile vandalism and theft. Twenty-six acts were committed in 1999.

Steele also stated that the peak time for these crimes is in the spring and fall, so a higher number of violations will occur at the start of the school year and again after winter.

Although Campus Safety claims that it patrols the areas well, thieves and vandals could easily hide underneath cars in order to keep from being discovered. And, despite Campus Safety's efforts, Steele said that a college campus parking lot is inevitably less protected and more exposed than personal driveways or commercial lots, especially during the evening hours.

``We asked [criminals we caught] `Why Calvin?' They told us because it's a private college, kids at private colleges have a lot of money, and so they'd have `good stuff,''' Steele said.

He recommends that students remove expensive stereo equipment from their vehicles in order to avoid being a potential victim of theft and make sure their windows are closed and doors locked.

Despite the reoccurring acts of theft and vandalism that have already occurred this year, Steele believes that these crimes are not specific to Calvin's campus. Campus Safety maintains ties with the local police department and other area colleges regarding crimes such as these. Compared to other area colleges, Aquinas, due to its more discreet location, is less vulnerable, but Cornerstone is similar to Calvin in vulnerability.''

Steele said crime in the region can often affect Calvin as well, and occasionally Calvin will be targeted along with other areas around East Grand Rapids, such as Woodland Mall.

``I think we are a little more vulnerable,'' Steele said. ``The East Beltline gives us some exposure. It's quick-on and quick-off. These [criminals] like that.''

Steele also stated that the crimes usually ``occur in cycles [and] remain consistent year after year.''

The growth of the campus may create even more potential for thieves. Steele is hoping to someday provide one of the larger campus lots with video surveillance equipment. The amount of parking lots and vehicles on campus will grow quickly with Calvin's current development. The new lot across the Beltline will provide spaces for up to 600 vehicles. The new surveillance equipment would enable Campus Safety to provide a more thorough patrol of these lots and lessen the amount of automobile break-ins in the future.

Many students who talked to Chimes said they feel that Calvin should provide more adequate security than what is currently offered.

``The parking lot is Calvin's property, and they should be responsible - they make students park there,'' a student pointed out. ``For the tuition students pay, we should be able to feel safe and secure. Calvin boasts about their great Campus safety, and yet many students have experienced theft from their vehicles. It's not right.''

``I can appreciate what they're saying,'' Steele said in response, ``It's very frustrating and disappointing, and you get quite angry when your car gets broken into.''

And despite the break-ins, Steele asserted that patrolling parking lots and keeping them safe is the highest priority on his list.

``Right now the number one priority is to watch those lots and catch those people who are breaking into cars. Campus Safety is doing their job right,'' Steele said.