How to Protect Your Child's Property at School

By Jacqueline Bodnar | SouthFlorida.com

Each day our children head out the door and go to school equipped with expensive backpacks, clothing, books and other items.

The last thing they think will happen is that someone will steal or intentionally damage those belongings while they are on school property. After all, the school is filled with teachers, hall monitors, staff and students. Yet according to the Center for Disease Control, damage and theft of personal property happens at school more often than we realize.

"Nationwide, 29.8 percent of students had their property stolen or deliberately damaged on school property one or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey," the CDC reports. That's almost a third of students who face having their personal belongings stolen or purposely damaged on school property each year. Not only is this expensive for parents, it is also distressing to the child.

Growing Risks

Anyone carrying valuables to school is at risk, says Joseph Melita, executive director of the police division for Broward County Schools. "Theft is escalating due to cell phones, iPods and school board policies allowing them to be on the school grounds," he said. In the past, students weren't allowed to bring expensive personal belongings to school. "Now with technology, they are allowed to have it. It's a whole new animal out there."

Melita has seen a shift from beepers being a problem, to schools contending with all the latest expensive gadgets that run the gamut of digital cameras to cell phones to MP3 players and everything in between. To minimize theft risks, he suggests that people go back to the "old fashioned idea that school is a place to learn." Although all students are at risk for having their personal property stolen or damaged at school, CDC statistics show there is a pattern of who is most at risk. As a group, ninth-grade male students suffer more incidents than other groups. Although the figures are close for race, black and Hispanic students are slightly more at risk than white students.

Minimizing the Risks
There is no sure-fire way to make sure that your child is not the victim of fast hands, but there are steps you and your child can take to reduce the chances.

"If you don't have to have it for school, don't bring it," Melita said.

If an expensive item is needed for something after school, make sure your child knows he shouldn't let others know he has it with him. Never leave valuables unattended, whether in an unlocked locker, in the corner of a classroom or at the lunch table while going back for seconds.

Once out the door, students need to make a conscious effort to protect their belongings. They should not be so trustworthy of fellow students. Sometimes the person stealing or damaging the items is someone who would be least suspected.

Parents should consider purchasing a strong lock so that students can secure their belongings in their locker if their school has lockers. Students also need to be aware of the dangers of sharing lockers or giving out the locker combination to others. Kids sometimes think they will always be friends with a person so it's safe to give out their locker combination. But squabbles happen in the best of relationships and might make your child regret being so open with such information.

Most often the property targeted at school are books, cell phones, jewelry, backpacks, expensive electronic equipment and cash. Electronic items should be left at home because they are small, valuable and easily broken or stolen. It's also against school policy for students to play hand-held games or listen to iPods in class. If students are going to be carrying money or other valuable items with them to school, they should make an effort to not flash them around to other students.

Reporting Problems
Despite your and your child's best efforts to avoid theft, it can still happen. If your child is the victim of theft at school, there are appropriate steps to take. Any theft or intentional property damage should be reported immediately to school security personnel and the adult in charge. School administration should be informed immediately so they can investigate. Students should never take matters into their own hands, which can escalate the problem.

Economy Woes
Because of the economic troubles many people are facing, it's expected that there will be an increase in property theft at schools in the coming school year. During this time, some students may become more desperate and willing to take things.

"Money is not as free now to get the things, so I'm expecting more action next year," Melita says. "I'm hoping I'm wrong."

Five ways to protect personal property at school

1. Leave valuables at home. 2. Have a strong lock and don't share or give out the combination. 3. Don't leave property unattended or entrusted to others. 4. Avoid flaunting valuable property. 5. Be aware of belongings and surroundings.

Jacqueline Bodnar is a freelance writer. She lives in Port Orange with her husband and two children.