Campus Police investigating theft of student newspapers

Campus police are investigating the theft of more than 200 copies of the Patriot Talon reported stolen last month from newspaper racks in the Administration Building.

The newspapers are valued at nearly $150, according to information filed with the police department by Jacque Hillburn-Simmons, advertising coordinator for the Patriot Talon.

Allie Abel, managing editor, said her conclusion for why the newspapers were stolen is someone didn’t like what was written. She suspects the perpetrator was trying to keep information from the students.

“It’s very immature for people to steal newspapers because it has articles they disagree with,” Abel said. “If someone has an issue with what is written, they should write a letter to the editor.”

The Talon theft happened just days before a similar event at another East Texas university.

Texas A&M Commerce made national news when football players reportedly stole all issues of its student newspaper, The East Texan, on Feb. 25 after the paper printed a story regarding two football players involvement in a recent drug bust.

A University police officer, believing free property cannot be stolen, initially refused to file a police report.

However, Chief Mike Medders believes otherwise and has chosen to investigate, Abel said.

“I believe this can be considered theft. Now that I have the information investigation can take place,” Medders said.

Newspaper theft is not only a crime, but is a true form of censorship, according to the Student Press Law Center, a provider of advice and legal assistance for student press.

Most campus newspapers are free although their publication requires funding for editing, advertising, printing and distribution. A newspaper loses valuable property when copies are not accessible to students, according to the SPLC Web site.