A recent string of textbook thefts at O'Donnell Hall went unreported to the Department of Public Safety for almost a month, raising serious concerns for both DPS and students.

According to reports from Dec. 13, the 10 burglaries and one theft occurred in O'Donnell from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30. However, none of the incidents were reported to DPS until Dec. 11.

"It's very difficult to stop these types of crimes if they are not reported," said Capt. Russ Shaw, associate director of DPS. "I don't know if (DPS) could have stopped this, but we certainly could have investigated and our crime prevention officers could have worked with the residence hall."

Shaw added that since the crimes were reported so close to the end of the semester, DPS was unable to do an immediate and thorough investigation because many students were already leaving.

However, according to Sue Cooper, DPS crime prevention officer, DPS did take some initial steps, such as going door-to-door in O'Donnell with a security alert on Dec. 12. The alert encouraged students to take inventory of their textbooks and other valuables, and report any suspicious activity or relevant information regarding the crimes to DPS.

Cooper said that though such crime patterns in residence halls are rare, it is still important for students to get into the habit of maintaining a secure residence. She said practicing simple behaviors such as locking doors and putting away valuables can increase security.

Jim McMahon, assistant vice president and dean of Residence Life, said the Office of Residence Life promotes behavior that enhances a sense of community in dorms, such as keeping doors open while students are in their rooms. At the same time, McMahon said, it encourages students to secure their rooms when they are unoccupied.

"I think students sometimes feel immune to people coming in their rooms," McMahon said. "It's not an uncommon feeling, especially among first year students."

McMahon said though the first few students involved were encouraged to file a report with DPS, it was his understanding that they did not do so.

"However, I want to be clear that after the first student came forward, it was within a matter of hours that many other students came forward," he said. "It then became apparent that this was not an isolated incident."

James Havey, a freshman in the College of Arts & Sciences and a resident of O'Donnell, is one of the students whose textbooks were stolen from his dorm room. His roommate also reported missing textbooks, Havey said.

"I just think these things are really unfortunate," he said. "A wing is a community and there has to be sort of a 'neighborhood watch' going on."

According to Havey, his wing had a meeting regarding the incidents. At the meeting, they set up a "wing watch" and discussed matters such as keeping room doors locked.

The stolen textbooks ranged in value from $20 to $395. According to Shaw, the books were probably stolen because people can get "quick cash" by selling them back to bookstores.

DPS is conducting an ongoing investigation into these incidents, as well as following up with the O'Donnell hall director.