News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | OU Library Institutes 'Gotcha!' Program
Students at OU are being warned to not leave their belongings unattended at the library.
If a security guard notices a student has walked away from their computer, backpack or other belongings, they will leave a "GOTCHA!" card.
The "Gotcha!" program has been in effect for five years at the OU library.By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9
NORMAN, Oklahoma – There are thieves everywhere, even on university campuses. That's why the University of Oklahoma is trying to encourage students to keep a close eye on what's near and dear to them. Students are learning those lessons through the "Gotcha!" program.
About 3,000 students visit the Bizzell Library at OU every day. Most bring a backpack or a laptop. Many, like Spencer Pittman, bring both. For him losing the laptop would be disastrous.
"If I was to lose it, my whole life would probably be ruined, and also, you know, as a student, I wouldn't be able to get on Facebook," Pittman said.
Sometimes students need a break from studying. They leave for a few minutes--and leave their belongings behind.
"I have found myself leaving my backpack or something by a chair and getting up and going to the restroom or going somewhere and then I will realize, 'Oh my gosh, I left all my stuff unattended,'" OU student Katie McIntyre said.
"If they're left unattended then that's an opportunity for a theft to occur," said Associate Library Dean Debra Engel. "We're just asking people to take responsibility for their belongings."
That's what the "Gotcha!" program is all about. If a security person notices that personal belongings, a backpack, a laptop, have been left unattended for several minutes, then security will leave a "Gotcha!" card. The card reminds the student how easily the belongings could be stolen. In some cases security collects the items and leaves them at the front desk.
"I think it's good and it would remind students to take better care of your belongings," McIntyre said.
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