Parking on campus could be hazardous to your vehicle.

There have been 18 thefts so far this year, according to University Police reports.

Last semester, there were 23 acts of vandalism to vehicles in campus parking lots. Seventeen vehicles were stolen and 29 automobiles were broken into. Figures for the summer months were unavailable, although one vehicle was confirmed as stolen.

Student Natalie Dronberger parks on campus, but said she does not feel comfortable about it.

“I have a convertible so I don’t feel it is secure, especially at night,” Dronberger said. “There should be more police patrolling at all times.”

Students pay $108 per semester to park at the university, but are not guaranteed a parking space. None of the permit revenue is used for vehicle security in the lots.

University Transportation and Parking Services manager Nancy Fox said that lot security is a responsibility of the Department of Public Safety, which oversees the University Police Department.

“UTAPS parking enforcement employees are trained to keep their eyes and ears open and report any unusual or suspicious activity,” Fox said. The main responsibility of parking enforcement employees is to locate and cite parking violations.

There were 72 vehicle thefts in 1998, an all-time high for the campus.

John Hamrick, an investigator with the University Police, said the problem of campus lot security is a reflection of automobile theft nationwide.

Hamrick said that the Sacramento area has been among the worst 10 metropolitan areas in the country for automobile theft over the past three years.- So far in 2003, Sacramento ranks ranks as the seventh worst auto theft area in the United States.

Two of the University Police patrol cars have been equipped with devices to track stolen vehicles, including Lo-Jack receivers.

Lo-Jack is a small transmitter installed in a vehicle. When that car is stolen, the transmitter is activated and police can locate the vehicle using the receivers.

“We are also working on the use of high-tech equipment that notifies our dispatch center if a vehicle has been entered without permission by the owner,” Hamrick said.

Hamrick said that by bike or on foot, University Police officers patrol areas that are usually targeted by car thieves and vandals in vehicles.

A University Police brochure suggests that students should report suspicious activity witnessed in campus lots.

The brochure also offers advice to keep vehicles safe in campus lots, such as keeping windows rolled up, doors locked, possessions out of sight and parking in well-lit areas.