Security opens online claims filing for lost and found

Car keys, cellphones, iPads, wallets and a child’s pink fringe-covered dance costume are just a few of the things you might find in Campus Security’s lost and found.

“How a person can lose one boot is beyond me,” said Patrick Murray, a supervisor in campus security. “There’s nothing weird anymore.”

But a new addition to security’s website means students can now file lost claims online instead of being forced to hobble across campus with only one shoe.

“I know most people are going to walk in and talk to us, but it gives them another avenue,” Murray said.

The re-vamped page will allow students to list the type of item lost, the date, a description and the value; in addition to any contact information.

Murray said security currently has a return rate of roughly 75 percent on cellphones, but other items can be hit or miss.

“We get really expensive items in here and no one comes to claim them,” said Kelly Hopkins, a security officer.

Hopkins said a perfect example would be a brand new iPhone that was turned in a week ago and remains unclaimed.

Murray said the procedure is often to just open up a phone’s contacts and call anyone labeled mom or dad, but when a phone is locked that remains impossible.

Items not claimed are eventually destroyed or donated to charity, but if the item appears to be worth $100 or more, security will hang on to it for 90 days.

Hopkins said she hopes the online reporting system will cut down on the unclaimed items, which are stored in her office currently.

“[Lost and found] is the bane of my existence,” Hopkins said.