Allison Fitch / NT Daily [Click to enlarge]

This is a positive step toward protecting students against a recent rise in automobile thefts, but should not become invasive to students and Denton residents.

The NT Police Department and the Denton Police Department have been working together to catch a recent rash of thieves looting cars on campus.

This semester alone, more than 27 reports of automobile thefts have been filed with the NT Police Department, whereas last fall, only 17 thefts were reported.

The recent sting operation held during spring break proved successful in not only arresting two suspects caught breaking into a baited car, but also exposed these individuals' previous thefts.

A total of 11 thefts were linked back to these individuals, and in some cases, stolen items were returned to the owners.

Though the cooperation to curb the rates of thefts is a welcomed effort, Denton law enforcement authorities should not allow their operations to become an invasion to students and Denton residents' privacy by seeking to isolate suspicious students and residents and excessively searching their vehicles.

Following proper procedures while acknowledging the privacy of individuals will ensure that the police departments can continue to protect and defend against crime efficiently and respectably.

The ability for the Denton Police Department and the NT Police Department to work together in a cooperative effort to combat crime in the city and on campus is a positive sign of proof that the two can combine to help combat the crime rates in Denton.

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