Theft on rise in Moritz Law Library

First year law students Jessica Verhotz and John Case work on their laptops Monday in the Moritz Law Library located in John Deaver Drinko Hall.

Five laptops were stolen from law students in the Moritz Law Library during the month of October, Moritz College of Law associate dean Bruce Johnson has confirmed.

No suspects have been identified, but the police have been actively investigating, Johnson said, who is also director of the library and a law professor.

"The police have really been working hard on this one and they have responded quickly after each incident," Johnson said.

The laptop thefts all occurred in mid-October, in the afternoon, on the main floor of the library.

Matt Norviel, a Moritz Law circulation librarian and a senior in marketing, said the library needs to get better security.

"We don't have a security person on staff. We just have all people that come to the library sign in and show ID," Johnson said. "Our staff also walks through the library periodically to check on things."

Norviel said one of the reasons the Moritz Law Library experienced so many thefts is because law students tend to be more trusting and leave their belongings out.

"A girl came to me last week who had just gotten her purse stolen when she left and went to the bathroom," Norviel said.

Johnson said the recent thefts are because of the Ohio Union being torn down and the library's location.

"With the Union out of the way, it gives people off High Street more opportunity to come into the law library, especially since it's right on the corner of campus," Johnson said.

He also said he believes the laptops were taken by someone off the street and not within the law school.

Liz Ghandakly, a law student and member of the Student Bar Association, said the group is working on ways to keep the library safer.

"It's kind of scary that things have been stolen from the law library of all places when we're about 'the law.' The SBA is starting to get some descriptions of people, and there are ropes now that guide people straight to the front desk to sign in," Ghandakly said.

Johnson said the police have also been helpful with providing students tips to avoid future theft.

"They have been telling students to always lock down their laptops and make sure to take purses and wallets with them whenever they leave a table," Johnson said.

Heather Hope can be reached at hope.27@osu.edu.