Although thefts on campus are decreasing slightly, students should be aware that once they move off-campus, their parents' homeowner's insurance no longer covers them.

Acting Lt. Brian A. Seastone of the University of Arizona Police Department said thefts and burglary are two of the biggest problems on campus and that students should have some type of insurance.

He said there are some low-cost renter's insurance policies that cover student property.

Last year, there were 563 reported thefts on campus, Seastone said. He said that of those, 267 were bicycles - the top targets for thieves.

Numbers are down from 1994, when there were 668 reported thefts on campus, Seastone said. He said 399 bicycles were stolen that year.

Alan S. Lee, insurance officer for the Department of Risk Management and Safety, said that many times, students want the UA to cover their stolen property because it was taken on campus. He said students need to be aware that just because they live in a r esidence hall that does not mean the UA must cover their belongings.

If a student can show a theft was the university's fault, the UA will cover the loss, Lee said. But this rarely happens, he said.

"Students can't assume that the university is responsible for all losses," he said.

About 5 percent of stolen property is recovered, Seastone said. He said there are many crimes with no suspects, and this makes the property hard to track.

According to UAPD statistics, students lost $262,936 in 1995 to theft, not including auto thefts. In 1994, losses totaled $403,771.

Students should keep an eye on their materials and know their surroundings, Seastone said. He said by doing this and simply locking a door, they can take away thieves' "crimes of opportunity."

Students can also help by reporting any strange and unusual behavior, he said.

John Furg, Allstate Insurance Co. agent, said the number of students who have renter's insurance is about 10 percent or less. Allstate offers a $20,000 renter's policy that costs $167 annually if a student has an insured auto, and $240 without.

Sean Liston, political science senior, said he never had anything stolen. Liston lives off campus but said he has no renter's insurance.

"I think it's a good idea. It shows responsibility in students that would get it," he said in reference to renter's insurance.

Cristina Barreras, industrial engineering senior who also lives off campus, said renter's insurance is expensive, but is worth it if you have valuable belongings. She said she also does not have renter's insurance.

Seastone said that by nature, people are trusting. Students feel safe because they are at school, he said, but they should not trust everybody.

There have been times when students who live in residence halls have put their belongings in the hall, marked with their names, and thought they would stay there, Lee said. He said the students then called Risk Management, wanting to be reimbursed.

UAPD offers educational programs targeting problem areas, and offers ongoing educational articles to help reduce thefts on campus, Seastone said.

"Students help themselves, and they help us," Seastone said of students taking more responsibility.

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