Theft rates are relatively low in the Carlmont boys locker room, however, things can be stolen at any given time.
The exact number of stolen personal items is unknown, but it could be much higher if there was no locker room policy.
“I know in the boy’s locker room theft rates have been fairly low, and part of the reason is that we ask students to bring a second padlock,” said David Low, a physical education teacher at Carlmont.
Not only does school policy promote security, but it also encourages the students to be more organized with their possessions in the locker room.
“It’s just being aware of your surroundings, watching your stuff, and not being careless,” said David Heck, another physical education teacher at Carlmont.
However, as much as guidelines, behavior, and staying organized helps prevent theft, a major drawback of locker room security is the less than adequate lockers.
“The old lockers were much stronger and built better. When they [the Sequoia Union High School District] bought the new ones, they thought they were saving money, but when you have faulty equipment, you’re going to have more problems,” said Heck.
Money is an issue when it comes to purchasing equipment for the school, and sometimes, teachers are not asked for what specifications they need on certain equipment, such as the lockers.
“We [Low and I] are in here every day, and we know what to look for in lockers. If they would’ve asked us, we could have told them what we want and made it more secure,” said Heck.
Because many lockers have been damaged, physical education teachers urge students to report any broken locks or faulty mechanisms. This way, the teachers may fix the locker or issue a better one to the student. But again, the current lockers are not the best type for teenagers.
“These lockers really aren’t made for this environment. They are not suited for a locker room with a bunch of kids who are looking for the quick way of breaking in,” said Low.
Stealing is not something that can be eliminated altogether. It might take years to minimize security hazards and stop thefts.
In order to take the first step towards a theft-free locker room, teachers urge each individual to evaluate the choices they make.
Heck said, “It comes down to morals and character; what are your ethics?”
