Registered laptops reach record numbers

Samra Khawaja
Contributing Writer

Two years after beginning a registration process of personal belongings to decrease larceny, VCU Police hit record-breaking numbers of registered laptops this semester.

Students continue to bring their laptops to the VCU Police office for registration, but at the time of press, 566 student laptops had already been registered in the system.

The amount has at least doubled compared to last year.

“Our headquarters are always open,” Officer Matt Ruland said. “One hundred of the 566 students came to the office to fill out the paperwork.”

“It was easy to do,” freshman Cameron St. John said. “I did it to feel more secure if I ever took my laptop out in public.”

Social networking sites, VCU’s email telegram and advertisements on the flat-screen televisions throughout the campus are some ways the department spread the word of the registration process.

Throughout Welcome Week, the officers stationed themselves all through the campus to cater not only to students, but faculty members as well. This semester about 90 percent of the registered laptops came from freshmen.

“We push big with freshmen,” VCU’s community police officer James DeFord said. “They have more exposure and are the easiest target.”

Registering laptops with VCU Police allows for a record to be on file. If a stolen laptop is recovered, VCU Police can track the registered number, which is the individual’s driver license number, and trace it to the original owner.

According to DeFord, the record remains on file, and students can still call the department for information after they graduate.

“I’m prone to losing things so I decided to get (it) registered in case it’s lost or stolen,” freshman Cristina O’Connell said.

In 2009, when the program was still new to the university, about 11 students registered their laptops. Since then, the VCU Police Department has made larceny prevention one of their goals.

“We’ve had a decrease in larcenies, and I want it to continue to decrease,” Ruland said. “You can prove your ownership this way.”

DeFord suggests another way to avoid theft is to download tracking software on electronics.

The VCU Police Department also provides for bicycle registration, which increased in registration records as well.

“Students need to be mindful,” Ruland said. “Don’t leave your belongings.”

Throughout this month, the police department will be holding informational sessions at MCV and Monroe Park Campus where students can go to for registration.

For more tips on how to prevent larceny, tune into Officer Ruland’s radio show at www.wvcw.org or visit www.vcu.edu/police.