Opinion: The Edge is an example of a student housing failure – The Cauldron

On an urban campus where safety is a major concern, The Edge, an apartment building turned into new Cleveland State dorms, has a huge problem– package theft. 

Inside the building, package theft has spiked since winter break. On my floor alone, at least four individuals, myself included, have had a package stolen. The Sixty Day Crime Log published by CSU police indicates that five petty thefts have occurred at The Edge since the end of winter break– these are just the ones who decided to file a police report. 

To be fair, package theft is a problem for the entire city of Cleveland. As of November 2023, Cleveland was ranked number 10 on the list of the nation’s cities with the highest rates of package theft.

However, CSU Residence Life (Res Life) explains on the front page of their website, “Our primary goal is to provide you with a safe and healthy place to live.” 

It is quite clear that The Edge is not the safest place to live. 

The package room at The Edge is located on the first floor. From the outside of the building, an individual must scan their key fob to get inside, turn right (almost directly in front of a Res Life Community Assistant) and walk down a short hallway to get to the package room. 

From the outside of the building, an individual must scan their key fob to get inside, turn right (almost directly in front of a Res Life Community Assistant) and walk down a short hallway to get to the package room. Photo Credit: Diana Schoder

The wall of Luxor One lockers are meant to provide a secure package delivery system at The Edge.

However, no additional scan of the key fob is necessary at the package room–from the inside of the building, anyone can enter the package room. 

Every other door, whether to get inside the gym or to go up in an elevator, has another key fob scanner that is required for entering or use. Then, at each individual door to students’ rooms, there is another scanner required.

Every single day, students walk by the package room, just steps from their front doors, where a pattern of crime has emerged. As if this was not enough, the University has not sent notice to students alerting them to this pattern of crime at their doorstep.

To the extent of my knowledge, CSU also has not addressed its policies and practices helping to prevent more package thefts.

Despite having security cameras, more and more packages are being stolen. So, what happens when a package is stolen? Does CSU help? 

My Package

The United States Postal Service (USPS) confirmed my package, a second hand, gently-used pair of tennis shoes, was delivered to me at The Edge on Wednesday during the second week of the semester, but I never got it.

Typically, students receive an email from Luxor One within 24 hours or so of delivery that a package was delivered to them and can be picked up.

The last time I had a package delivered to me at The Edge, the notice took a little over 24 hours to arrive, so on Thursday, I waited to receive the message for my shoes. On Friday morning, the notice still hadn’t come, so I went to the package room to look for it. Not finding one package with my name on it, I went to the front desk. They instructed me to send an email to Res Life, which I did. 

I received a response from Res Life the following week on Monday morning that my package was never logged in their system, and they could not find it. I inquired about security cameras or next steps to find it and was referred to the police station. After I got off of work Monday, I walked directly to the CSU police station to file my report. 

As I filed my report, I learned about the extent of the issue. I was not the first to report a package theft. In fact, I was far from it. 

When I asked about how I should have a package delivered, I was referred to the Amazon Hub down the street, but this does not help when a package from anywhere else is needed such as my package from USPS. 

Luckily, my shoes were not medication that I needed to survive, textbooks for school or something really expensive, but I cannot say the same for others who have had more expensive items stolen.

Still, regardless of the value of the item, CSU students are being victimized.

A Resolution?

As an English major and student journalist, I can’t find the words to express how badly I want a resolution to this problem. A collaboration between CSU PD and Res Life is absolutely essential to restore safety in the dorms. 

Personally, I really don’t have experience, time or resources to organize a “neighborhood watch” of sorts for our package room but as weeks go by and no progress is made by the University– not even a notice sent to students about the pattern of crime at their doorsteps– I can’t help but to think I have to do something. 

Just next door to the package room is the building’s gym and as I work out, my mind often slips to wonder if there is someone in the package room who shouldn’t be. Someone who feels brazen enough to go repeatedly into an area and take what is not theirs. Someone who might feel a little bolder next time and stop me, or anyone else, to take a phone, wallet or whatever else the person has on them.

I believe a person has a right to feel safe in their home. At what is supposed to be my “home away from home,” I feel quite the opposite, especially considering the lack of information and response from CSU. 

CSU’s Non-Response

As I mentioned, CSU has not addressed the package thefts.

On Feb. 2, students were notified that offensive graffiti was found on campus on Jan. 24 and Jan. 25, and that the University “acted swiftly” to remove it with the police and Office of Institutional Equity. In the University’s email to students, there was information about resources available to students and what would happen to those found responsible. The message also encouraged anyone who had information about the graffiti to come forward.

In contrast, on Jan. 23 and Jan. 25, petty theft occurred at The Edge, and these were not the first instances. Still, students did not receive notice, aside from the mandated reporting in the Sixty Day Crime Log on the CSU police website and The Cauldron’s own Crime Log. No resources were shared with students, no warnings for the person(s) violating CSU’s code of conduct– nothing. 

Why is there a lack of concern for repeated package theft inside Cleveland State dorms which victimizes CSU students?

Student Government Response

To give credit where credit is due, CSU’s Student Government Association (SGA) Senator for The Edge Joseph Nappi has shed light on the issue, including at the most recent SGA meeting. 

Nappi explained that mail carriers are not using the designated locker system, and CSU Res Life leadership must file the necessary complaints to address the theft.

One recommendation from Nappi was to update the security cameras to help address the issue, though it is unclear whether CSU has considered this option. 

Personally, I do not know whether Res Life has filed the complaints necessary for my own package, but I will be following up. Action must be taken to secure The Edge and provide a safe place for students. 

I am a student, resident and victim of package theft, and it is disheartening to say that many of my fellow CSU students are as well.

Disclaimer: This article in no way reflects the views of The Cauldron and its staff. It only reflects the views of the columnist.