Rushed student athletes come and go in the locker rooms. Whether they are putting their bags in the locker room before school or leaving their school supplies in there before practice, phones, computers, keys and clothes are left unattended without a second thought.
Just because it’s normal to leave personal items around in the locker room doesn’t make it safe. Everyone feels like nothing will happen to their things, especially if everybody else is doing the same thing.
Realistically, most people are too lazy to go through the hassle of locking their things up properly before practice. This could also be due to the lack of time for athletes in between the bell and the start of practice.
Since everyone really leaves their stuff throughout the locker room, why would anyone steal it?
Marley Platt, a junior, had a first-hand experience with locker room thefts.
“During ski team practice a couple weeks ago my Brandy Melville flare pants got stolen from the locker room. I had put them in a locker but didn’t lock it,” said Platt . “When I went back after practice they were gone and I looked around and asked if anyone had seen them, but I didn’t have any luck.”
Compared to others, Platt even had put her clothes in a locker assuming it would be good enough. Even today, her pants are still missing.
“I definitely learned my lesson and need to start locking my locker from now on,” said Platt .
Support Services Coordinator Liz Murphy has some advice for the issue at hand.
“You should put your stuff in a locker,” said Murphy. “I see everyone’s stuff around, do not leave it out and you can get locks from [physical education teacher Bethany] Nedrow.”
For most students, they are unaware this is an option to get a lock from Nedrow, but it is a more reliable way to keep belongings stored.
The locker room is not as safe as most students think, and even with some reminders, students are still willing to take the risk of
leaving their belongings in the open. These thefts in the locker room are to be prevented.
For these student-athletes to truly ensure their backpacks and other possessions are safe, locking them up will do the job.
Locking a locker may only take a few seconds, however it can save students from the stress and hassle of losing valuable items.
