Castleton is known as a close knit community and generally feels very safe to students living in the dorms.  Lately, however, some thefts have been reported that are making some students question their neighbors.
On March 6, Dean of Students Dennis Proulx sent out a campus wide email saying “Public Safety has received three reports of stolen electronic items from the residence halls. It is unknown if these thefts are connected, however the items being targeted appear to be video gaming equipment.”
He said police have been alerted to these thefts.  

“As a community we must remain vigilant and respect each other’s personal property. Please remember to keep suite and room doors locked and closed while no one is present, and please be aware of people in areas that they do not belong,” he wrote.
As an educational exercise, Community Advisors Molly DeMellier and Cameron Maurer recently performed a mock-theft exercise they called “While You Were Out” in Ellis Hall. The CAs looked to see if a resident’s door was unlocked while they’re not home.
If it was, they left a note pretending they took something, and then locked the door on the way out.
Residents were then let back into their rooms and the CAs hope they learn their lesson about not leaving doors unlocked.
“This is the point in the year when things tend to go missing because you think you know someone,” DeMellier said.
Stanti Schonbachler was a victim of theft this year when someone stole his Xbox, games and controllers out of his suite in Castleton Hall. Schonbachler had his Media Access Control number written down before the theft, which Director of Residence Life Michael Robilotto suggests.
“I am waiting for the MAC address to be punched in somewhere here on campus,” Schonbachler said.
Robilotto, like DeMellier, urges students to be smart with their stuff.
“Take inventory on prized possessions. Write serial numbers down and take pictures. If you have the information, it’s easy to track down,” Robilotto said.
The most common items stolen are cash and electronics, he said.
“It’s a community, but it takes one person to ruin it.” DeMellier said.
If anyone has information about the recent thefts, Proulx urges students to contact Public Safety at 802-468-1215 or through the confidential Tip-Line at 802-468-1(TIP).