By: Caleb McGever
On the Friday evening of spring break, an unknown person stole multiple instruments from the Cowles Music Building and thousands of dollars of equipment from Cowles Auditorium. Although no suspect could be identified after watching security footage of the events, police are involved in recovering the equipment. Students are now advised to remain cautious with their belongings in public and unsecured areas.
The Whitworthian was given access to the police reports regarding the theft. Using testimonies and security footage, the reports confirm that the music building theft took place sometime on March 24, 2023, the Friday leading into spring break. Multiple music students visited the music building during spring break and found their instruments taken from their lockers and only the tags remaining.
Additionally, on April 4, 2023, a police report was filed describing the discovery that technology, including microphones, camera equipment, iPads and other items had been stolen from the Cowles Auditorium. The event happened sometime between the beginning of spring break and the Monday classes resumed.
Dr. Jared Hall, the director of jazz studies, urged students to be careful with their instruments.
Hall said, “We’re very fortunate in this community that there are things left out and we don’t have this problem very often, but there’s the chance that somebody you know, outside our community or even sometimes, unfortunately, inside our community takes advantage of these prospectives.”
When asked about what students can do to keep their instruments and belongings safe, Hall urged students to “remain vigilant” about their instruments, and that students should always make sure their instruments are locked up in a locker when unattended. Additionally, he called for students to watch out for each other, “I’d say in general for our community, just to you know, have an eye out if they are around.”
Hall continued to advise extra caution for students regarding their instruments, even at times when they might assume security for themselves. He said, “Don’t leave your instrument in your car ever, ever. Cars are not secure. I bring my instrument with me all the time into the grocery store.”
However, he also added that misfortune can strike anyone, saying, “Sometimes you can only do so much to protect yourself in some cases. I just feel for our students and our community.” He recommended that students investigate instrument insurance because of the high cost of some student’s instruments, and the connection between their instruments and their livelihoods.
Hall expressed the value of an instrument to a music student, “In the case of our music majors, it is their livelihood. So, it really, really ruins their experience and it can take a while for them to recover from something like this. And, you know, this being a musician, this is your instrument is not just another piece of property. It’s a personalized item.”