Between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4, thieves stole three vehicles and broke into two more at John Carroll University’s auxiliary parking lot at Notre Dame College. Over 300 first-years and sophomores purchased parking passes to keep their vehicles at this location. These incidents occur after a string of catalytic converter thefts, vehicle break-ins last academic year, and increased security measures from the JCU and South Euclid Police Departments.

On Aug. 31 between 6:25 a.m. and 6:52 a.m., JCU PD issued a campus-wide security alert stating that “two Kias were stolen from the Notre Dame parking lot. Two additional vehicles were broken into.”

At 1:42 a.m. on Sept. 4, after a suspicious vehicle was observed entering the parking lot, JCU and South Euclid PD officers responded. The alert read, “Upon arrival, the Kia Sportage was found still running and a Kia Optima was determined to have been taken from the lot…”

The recent string of vehicle thefts and break-ins at JCU’s auxiliary parking lot highlights growing concerns over the safety and security of off-campus student parking.

Tayo McLaughlin ‘27, who had his vehicle broken into, said “I’ve always felt safe at Notre Dame in the past but I think now that the campus is abandoned…a lot of that safety went away.”

Jeffrey Daberko, chief of police at JCU, denied The Carroll News request for copies of officer logs documenting when JCUPD officers patrolled the lot and the footage of the thefts and break-ins as these incidents are ongoing investigations.

Daberko, when asked whether he feels students should feel safe parking their vehicles at the Notre Dame lot, said, “Where would you suggest they parked it safer?”

JCU implemented the use of rented auxiliary lots for first and second-year students to park in due to various construction projects on campus and limited parking. In March 2023, two vehicles were stolen from a lot rented at Jewish Family Experience near the intersection of Green and Cedar.

That same month, a catalytic converter was stolen from a car parked on campus in addition to an attempted vehicle theft near the Grasselli Library. Nearly a year later, on March 18, 2024, six were vehicles broken into at the Notre Dame lot with repair costs varying between $300 and $3,000. However, Cleveland.com claims the number is “no fewer than nine.” Then, in April 2024, another vehicle’s catalytic converter was taken from that same lot. However, the recent incidents mark an increase and escalation.

Mike White ‘25, vice-president of Student Government at JCU, said “We are disappointed by the ongoing thefts in the NDC parking lot, and we want students to know that we are dedicated to advocating on their behalf.”

“We are in the process of passing legislation to recommend changes and improvements to campus operations. Additionally, we ask that students continue to voice their concerns to the Senate and Executive Board,” said White.

According to Daberko, JCU’s main campus cannot accommodate an additional 350 vehicles and there are no additional parking options available near campus.

He said, “I would love to bring 350 people back to the main campus, but there’s no space for that. There just isn’t…Notre Dame seemed one of the most feasible options. So that’s how we wound up there.”

With only 10 officers employed at the department, resources are spread thin now that JCUPD has to cover the new off-campus apartments. In addition, the department has not finalized an agreement with South Euclid PD to allow officers to operate outside of their jurisdiction at the Notre Dame lot.

Daberko said, “I think our rates are probably lower than the surrounding community. I would argue that there are very few places you can go that vehicle theft or vehicle break-ins are nonexistent, [it’s] just one of the realities.”

Case Western Reserve University students were also the victims of vehicle break-ins but no actual thefts occurred.

Kia and Hyundai thefts have been a problem in Cuyahoga County in recent years. In 2022, these vehicles made up 60% of all auto thefts in the county. In University Heights, vehicle thefts increased from 15 in 2021 to 49 in 2023.

Recalling conversations when Notre Dame College shut down, Daberko noted that safety was a top concern. Before students returned, JCUPD installed security cameras monitored by officers at JCU. However, it is now clear these cameras did little to deter thieves.

“I think we got targeted by some, some organized car thieves,” Daberko said.“I think we did our best like I said, we got cameras installed, and [JCUPD and the South Euclid Police Department] had to up our patrols…As I said, we observed the one [theft] on [Sept 4.] and just got there a little late.”

To combat the safety concerns at the NDC lot, JCUPD announced via email on Sept. 10 that they are, “making available to students a limited number of steering wheel locks” as a preventive measure. This announcement further elaborates, “priority will be given to students who park in the Notre Dame College parking lot and/or who have a Kia as their registered vehicle.”

Steering wheel locks will be available at the JCUPD office on Wednesday and Thursday this week from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

To uplift student voices, an Arrupe Social Justice Scholar at JCU created an art project to hear directly from students about how they feel about the NDC lot issues. Students anonymously wrote answers like, “I would rather walk 10 miles to my classes than park there” and, “If we have to park off-campus, our cars should be safe!”

Despite increased patrols, surveillance measures and the addition of a security guard, these incidents show the limitations of current security efforts. As the administration works to these issues, many students are left wondering if their vehicles are truly safe.