By
Cyndy Cole
Arizona Summer Wildcat
Rec Center officials say theft is declining
In an attempt to curb locker room thefts at the Student Recreation Center, facilities directors installed convex mirrors on the ceiling between each locker bay in the men's and women's locker rooms.
"People have been pretty happy with (the mirrors) so far," said Mark Zakrzewski, facility coordinator at the Student Recreation Center, at 1400 E. 6th St.
The reflective orbs appear similar to those used to house cameras in department stores and casinos for security, and cost approximately $35 each, Zakrzewski said.
The number of thefts at the center usually increases in the summer, when there is less activity in the locker rooms, Zakrzewski said.
"We've had maybe four or five (thefts) in the last two months or so," Zakrzewski said.
Since the mirrors were installed on June 10th, there has been one reported theft of an unlocked locker in the women's locker room, Zakrzewski said.
Part of the problem is that locker rooms are difficult to patrol, Zakrzewski said.
"With the banks of lockers being as high as they are when you walk in, visibility is pretty limited," Zakrzewski said.
But security options are limited.
Patrons don't want a security guard policing the locker room and Zakrzewski does not want to put staff in that position.
The mirrors will increase security in three ways, Zakrzewski said.
Primarily staff who do security rounds, including through the locker rooms, will be more likely to notice "suspect behavior" because they'll be able to see movement in the mirrors.
Secondly, anyone considering stealing may feel they're being watched and reconsider.
Third, patrons who use the locker rooms may report any suspicious activity seen in the mirrors, Zakrzewski said.
"We hope this will deter the thief," Zakrzewski said. "Maybe they'll think they're being watched. Maybe they just know there's a greater chance of someone spotting them."
Students have a variety of reactions to the mirrors.
"I don't really know what (the mirrors') purpose is," said Yoland Daniel, a computer engineering sophomore. "There's not really a need for them."
However, Daniel said some sort of security measure should be in place to stop theft.
"Nobody's in there watching," Daniel said. "I rarely see staff in (the locker room)."
"I think (the mirrors) are fine," said hydrology graduate student Alex Leonard, adding that if students have problems with the mirrors, they are less likely to go into the locker rooms, possibly resulting in less theft.
Bear Down locker rooms will also have the mirrors installed in about a week.
