One would think common things stolen most often on college and university campuses would be items like wallets, cell phones, computers and televisions. But at Winston-Salem State, parking decals seem to be popular items among thieves.
As of March 23, a total of 126 parking decals have been reported lost and stolen.
Decals have been removed from cars in lots FF, H and P, according to the Campus Police Crime Blotter.
Patricia Norris, campus police chief and director of public safety, said that students leave their windows down or their doors unlocked to run into a building for a couple of minutes, thinking their cars will be safe. This leaves the perfect opportunity for someone to steal a decal she added.
“It is important for students to keep their doors locked and their windows up,” Norris said. Norris said that this crime has been occurring every since WSSU has been selling permits.
WSSU faculty seem to be more careful about their parking decals. Norris said that most times faculty will have their windows up and their doors locked. As of March 23, no faculty parking decals have been reported stolen.
Lt. Patrick Ansel, crime prevention officer with campus police said that every year the color of the decal is changed. This prevents the attempted use of old decals.
Ansel said that campus police do recover most of the stolen decals.
If a student’s decal is lost or stolen, there is a charge of $20 for accountability, and the student must complete an unofficial police report.
Norris said most students who report their decal stolen never show up to file a report.
If a student is charged with stealing parking decals, his or her vehicle will be prohibited from parking on campus for a year. That student may also face prosecution.
Norris said that next school year, the campus staff and faculty will have fixed permits on their cars. She said that students may get fixed permits in the near future.