Since Fall Quarter began, three students have reported items stolen from lockers at Ping Center. But the recreation facility's management says theft is not a problem at Ping.

"I don't think it's anymore of a problem than other facilities with this many people," said Tamara Jarrett, Ping Center director. "And I don't see this as a problem for a facility of this size."

Most thefts occur because students leave belongings unattended in unlocked lockers, Jarrett said.

Thomas E. Witte/THE POST
An OU student makes sure her belongings are secure in a Ping Center locker before she begins her workout.

"The responsibility belongs to the owner," she said. "You leave it sitting there, it's going to walk."

Students who have had property stolen agree with Jarrett.

Junior Matt Johnson, who had $11 stolen out of his wallet in the Ping Center locker room, said he was responsible for the loss.

"It was in my backpack, not out in the open," Johnson said. "But how can I blame Ping? I blame myself. I should have locked it up."

Current theft-prevention measures at the Ping Center are limited to employees called "rovers" roaming the building to look for anything that may indicate a possible theft.

But, Jarrett said, it is difficult for employees to spot theft.

"They can see someone pick up a wallet and are not able to identify whose it is," Jarrett said.

Ping Center employee Courtney Rowland said, "We've never thought of it as a problem, but it's always a concern. We just deal with it when it happens."

Despite preventative measures, stopping all occurrences of theft would be nearly impossible, said OU Director of Campus Safety Ted Jones.

"If a person wants to engage in theft, students are going to lose items," Jones said. "The time of involvement it takes to steal an item is the time it takes for me to reach into a locker."

Though many students may continue to leave their belongings unattended, those who have been the victims of theft say they learn quickly.

"I learned," Johnson said. "I've already started locking them up."