Campus Enforcement Patrol (CEP) is asking you to be extra vigilant when it comes to reporting suspicious activity on Memorial property.

Just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, two men in their early 50s were detained by CEP officers and turned over to the RNC after they were caught on surveillance video cutting locks off a bicycle outside the Faculty of Medicine at the Health Sciences Centre.

Due to a number of reported bike thefts on the St. John’s campus during the past couple of weeks – one at the entrance to the Queen Elizabeth II Library and the others at the Health Sciences Centre -- CEP has stepped up its patrols in those locations. They have also been careful to pay extra attention to their video surveillance coverage in the areas. The incident last night was observed by CEP’s control room officer monitoring the surveillance cameras.

 Jeff Fifield, investigative officer, CEP, stresses that everyone in the Memorial community has a role to play when it comes to reducing theft and other crimes.

“If you see something that you don’t think is right, even if you’re not sure but it seems suspicious to you, report it by calling 864-8561,” he said. “In the case of an emergency, call 864-4100.”

If you travel to Memorial via bicycle, Officer Fifield advises that you lock your bike onto a bike rack, where CEP is more likely to have surveillance coverage – as opposed to railings or poles that are not necessarily covered by a camera’s view. He also recommends solid steel locks, as they are somewhat more difficult and/or time-consuming to cut with tools than U-shaped locks or wire locks. He says June to September is peak time for bicycle thefts on campus.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is continuing their investigation.