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Property crimes most common on CSULB campus

During the past few months, the campus community has become aware of the several sexual assaults that occurred on campus. Because of this, many Cal State Long Beach students have been taking special precautious to stay safe. But property crimes, such as burglaries and aggravated assaults, also affect the university community.

“The majority of crimes occurring on campus are property crimes,” said University Police Chief Jack Pearson. “The majority of those are committed by persons not affiliated with the university.”

Items such as laptops, iPods, MP3 players, expensive calculators and backpacks have also been reported stolen from students, according to Lt. Fernando Solorzano of the University Police. He said that 30 cents of every dollar is stolen goods.

Solorzano also said his biggest challenge on campus was dealing with freshmen and transfer students who are naive and think, “They’ll never steal my laptop.”

Senior journalism major Aaric Hickerson said he was walking to his car using his cell phone one day when he noticed somebody in the trunk of a car. As he got closer, he realized the person was in his trunk and he immediately put down his cell phone.

“I’ll call you back,” Hickerson said.

He said he briefly followed the suspect while calling the police. He decided to stop following the suspect and wait for the police by his car. His stereo, insurance card and a CD case holding 500 CDs were gone. The police arrived and filed a report, according to Hickerson.

While doing so, however, Hickerson said the officer on scene looked over to the van parked next to Hickerson’s vehicle and noticed something strange.

He said the van’s windows were rolled down and the officer peeked inside to notice what looked like a car stereo on the back seat. Hickerson said he immediately identified the stereo as his, along with his CD case that was also inside.

Hickerson said he recovered all of his belongings, except his insurance card.

“How many times have you been eating at [the] Student Union, the food court or Outpost and you see a person put down their purse or backpack to reserve their seat and then they walk away to get food?” Pearson said.

Pearson said the response of students is, “[They] just set it there for a few minutes to get food.”

Although not heavily reported, robbery and aggravated assault also occur at CSULB.

Last year, a student was robbed and assaulted by two men near the Earl Warren Japanese Garden, according to Solorzano. The men tackled the male student from behind, punched him and ran toward Bellflower Boulevard, taking his backpack. The monetary value of the student’s belongings was $60.

Last year’s robbery was the only one reported on campus by CSULB, according to the Clery Act. There were no robberies reported on campus in 2004.

Aggravated assault is not common, but it is the crime occurring most commonly between students, faculty and staff members, according to Solorzano. He described incidents occurring because of road rage over parking spots and dormmates not getting along. Solorzano also said tensions get high around the end of the semester, causing problems among faculty.

“Most of these problems are resolved through administrative processes,” he said. “There are not really strong criminal intentions.”

Overall, Pearson said that students should pay attention to their surroundings.

“Walk with a purpose,” Pearson said.

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