UAPD Adds Cameras Across Campus

By: Blake Hinds Reporter for UATV

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.–When it comes to theft or burglary attempts on campus, UAPD relies on bystanders and the evidence on hand. With the help of new technology, crime investigation should be easier than ever. Theft can a happen any second on campus, especially in parking lots. But with the use of security cameras solving the crime can become a lot easier.

Brandon Powell is a corporal for UAPD, and one of the biggest problems he faces in his line of work is theft.  “I think the last time I worked the report, a theft report in lot 56 it was due to several vehicles being left unlocked and some of their personal belongs laying in the seat, such as laptops, backpack, purses stuff like that,” said Powell.

Powell said lot 56 near the soccer field experiences the most traffic on a daily basis. No cameras to scan the area, means UAPD chances of solving the crime are slim. “You have a lot of people pass through that lot, some affiliated some non-affiliated,” said Powell.

UAPD patrols lots where non-students park to make sure no one tries to steal cars or any personal belongs.  “Some of the other lots especially in the past year or so we’ve had a lot of thefts of motor scooters and those thefts tend to occur in the areas we have most of the scooter parking,” said Powell. One student Peyton Arneson said his car was involved in a hit and run.

When I asked Peyton the question “Have you ever been involved in like a burglary or a theft or a hit and run accident with your personal vehicle” this is what he had to say. “Now that you mention it, I actually have, I had someone back into my car once and left a minor scratch but there was no real need to file a police report because there was no way they were going to catch him,” said Arneson.

Corporal Powell says he thinks there’ll be cameras in every lot, he doesn’t know when that’ll happen.  “Some easy ways to avoid having your stuff stolen is to be aware of your surroundings and always make sure your car is locked,” said Powell.