Over the past few weeks, there have been reports of break-ins throughout the Belmont community and on the NDB campus. Word first spread through email and students immediately became curious as to the details behind this seemingly arbitrary call for vehicle safety.

Specifically at NDB, there has been a thief who was seen multiple times on campus and he allegedly knows where the security cameras are located on campus and attempts to avoid them to continue his practice of breaking into cars. As students fail to lock their cars, or leave their keys in their cars to prevent losing them, it enables the thief to keep coming back to school and creates a threat to student and community safety.

“We have had reports that student cars have been messed with and we have seen strangers on campus around unlocked cars,” said Associate Head of School Arlene Empleo. “As a result, we have extra patrols during certain times of the day as well as more frequent reviews of the cameras.

The idea of students breaking in while students are on campus is scary to those who typically drive to school. While hearing about the break-ins emphasizes the importance of locking their cars and hiding valuables in their car, it creates feelings of nervousness for many student drivers.

“It makes me a bit nervous hearing about the break-ins at school,” said senior Saaniya Ravi. “I think it’s good to be aware so that we can be prepared though.”

This issue is occurring outside the community and local Belmont high schools are experiencing theft in their parking lots as well. Different suspects have been described, yet students throughout Belmont County have been told to keep their cars locked and be vigilant when in their campus parking lots.

NDB has advised that students make sure to notice their surroundings while in the parking lot. They have also encouraged students to bring their keys with them inside the school to prevent the thief’s frequent visits to campus.