A sharp rise in shoplifting that has amounted to thousands of dollars of losses over the span of four months has prompted Housing & Dining Services to implement new security measures in partnership with Aramark.
The most visible security measure is evident from the pile of bags near the entrance to Charles Street Market. After students were found to be hiding goods in their backpacks, customers have been asked to leave their bags in cubbies before shopping. According to Housing & Dining, this policy was implemented two weeks after the Market's opening on Feb. 6.
"The policy was implemented because it became apparent that the level of shoplifting had elevated to an excessive point where action needed to be taken immediately," said David Furhman, the director of Dining Programs.
The scope of theft has included three main University eateries: Nolan's on 33rd, Fresh Food Café, and the Charles Street Market.
"During the course of this academic year, we've been forced to replace silverware and china at Fresh Food Café at an alarming rate, and silverware at Nolan's at an equally alarming rate," Furhman said.
Students now witness a constant flux of security guards attending to the doors of the Market.
"[Neither] we nor Aramark have a security guard employed at The Market; however, JHU Campus security personnel spend a great deal of time at the Market on their regular rounds because of the high incidence of theft we've experienced," Furhman said.
Carrie Bennett, the student-community liaison, positions herself in areas where students tend to congregate late at night. Since the close of Uni-Mini (which also experienced significant theft), the Market has been the most popular area after hours when other eateries are closed.
"Stealing is stealing. In the real world, costs for lawyers, official records and community service at the least are required for such acts," Bennett said.
Now that the deans are involved, every student who is caught stealing is referred to them, and the case is recorded in students' personal records. To varying degrees, this documentation can affect future prospects of admission to graduate and medical schools.
"Stealing will be reported, but it will not be prosecuted although the University has every right to prosecute," Bennett said.
According to Dorothy Sheppard, the associate dean of students who officially handles these cases, a student's first offense will lead to one year of probation and 10 hours of community service in the establishment where the crime was committed. The second will lead to a suspension.
The longer lines at the Market may contribute to the increasing rate of stealing. When only two of the four cash registers are operating at one time, students quickly grow antsy.
"The long lines at the Market are frustrating when there is only one register open and you're running late for class. I don't have a problem with the new policy of keeping your bags at the front if that'll prevent stealing, but I do think the prices are way too high," sophomore Helena Cortes said.
When it comes to the argument of high prices, Bennett says it is a fundamental economic idea of "limited overhead." Because the Market is a small convenience store, the limited amount of storage area requires constant deliveries, which raise prices.
Fiorella Castillo, also a sophomore, agreed with the new security policy.
"I feel that even though one might have the feeling of distrust, this new policy is necessary because if there is a very high rate of shoplifting, the market will eventually go bankrupt and we will no longer have ... a campus convenience store."
The layout of dining facilities such as Nolan's and Levering provide easy access to free food by merely avoiding the lines. However, they recently began requiring customers to present a receipt at Nolan's Grill as one attempt at eliminating such activities. Levering does not seem to have extra preventative measures at the time.
"Opportunities for theft are less [at Levering] than other locations," Furhman said. However, students should expect to see additional employee training, including managers and supervisors. Mirrors and cameras have been installed at the Market.
"Students should not even put things in their pocket because their hands are full. This can be reported because it is concealment. A basket should be used if necessary," Bennett said.
In past years, the Wolman Depot had the same function as the Market, but a similar security policy was non-existent. Furhman says that this policy would have been activated had there been enough room for bags at the door. "Shoplifting/theft in dining facilities is higher than last year. We attribute this to the fact that we have more retail locations (thus more opportunities for thieves) than in the past and that the Charles Street Market is much larger ... than the Depot," Furhman said.
