Those Princetonians and their sticky fingers:
Authorities say Princeton University students are increasingly being caught shoplifting from the school store, with 10 Ivy League students arrested since March. Twelve students have been arrested since the installation of new security cameras in the Princeton University Store several months ago, according to a published report.
Not surprising that more have been caught now that new methods exist to catch them. The hand-wringing over why such students would steal has officially begun:
Students have been charged with misdemeanors for stealing items such as razor blades, clothing, sushi and cosmetics from the shop, which is partly a bookstore and a 24-hour convenience store. It is independent of the university...
[Municipal Prosecutor Marc] Citron said the arrests have made him add to his explanations of why people shoplift. He said he used to have two reasons: people stealing to buy drugs and people with psychological problems.
"And No. 3 is the Princeton University student and I am not quite sure what category they fall into," he said. "What troubles me is that some of the students feel that they are so privileged, that they have the privilege (to steal)."
That's certainly one explanation. Perhaps, though, college tuitions have risen so high that even kids who can afford to attend Princeton find themselves short of pocket change?
And will the anti-testing crowd, who insist that high stakes "make" people cheat, come to the defense of the Princeton Pinchers, by insisting that the high cost of cosmetics "makes" these students steal? I'm not holding my breath.
Posted by kswygert at May 24, 2004 01:20 PM