University Public Safety is patrolling Forbes College more aggressively following a string of five laptop thefts that occurred Monday.
"We're trying to spend as much time as we can there," Public Safety Crime Prevention Specialist Barry Weiser said. "Being that the laptop thefts occurred in such a small area, we think there is a good chance we can get this guy."
Weiser said authorities believe the incidents are related, and likely were perpetrated by the same individual.
Borough Police is also investigating the thefts, Capt. Charles Davall said, adding that there are currently no suspects.
The series of thefts occurred between 8:30 a.m. and 4:10 p.m. Monday in both the Main Inn and the Annex. The five laptops — valued together at more than $10,000 — were stolen from desks in dorm rooms believed to be unlocked, Weiser said.
During the times of the thefts, the main entrance to Forbes was open, Forbes Director of Studies John Hodgson said.
"Forbes is a little different situation. Our main entrance is open during the day for the college office," he explained. "We're always going to have students feeling like this is a home — and it is — but it is also a public place."
Hodgson explained that Forbes — unlike other residential colleges — is a single building and is more difficult to secure.
Forbes administrators sent an e-mail to students in the college at about 5:00 p.m. Monday notifying them of the laptop thefts.
"I immediately sent out an e-mail to Forbes students warning them of the obvious — to lock their doors and secure their possessions," Hodgson said. "We are certainly worried about students and their safety."
Weiser stressed that students should lock their doors, adding that Princeton's strong safety record may lull students into leaving their possessions in the open and their rooms unlocked.
"If the doors were locked, [a thief] wouldn't be able to break in with people next door and wouldn't know if anyone was home," Weiser said.
Weiser said disseminating information is the most important method by which police can combat theft.
"We're also trying to get more information out, and again, trying to get people to lock their doors. We're also trying to work with college administrators who deal with these students on a day-to-day basis," he said.
"Getting information to students is one of our top priorities," Weiser said.
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