Klaus Solko, co-executive editor 

According to the Augsburg Annual Security Report 2025, in 2024 there were nine motor vehicle thefts on Augsburg University campus. They do not clarify whether that number includes car break-ins. This year so far, there have been 12 car break-ins. Most of these break-ins have happened in Lot B, which is the parking lot right behind residence halls Urness and Mortensen. 

“I have come back and parked over broken glass,” stated one Augsburg student in a discussion about the break-ins. Many students have, when asked about the break-ins, stated the jarring sight of a car in the back corner of the lot with its left headlight shattered and the surrounding part of the car smashed. 

“I have done at least three group car checks. We split up, all beelining to our cars, the people who get there soonest yelling that theirs is safe and waiting for the calls back of everyone else. It feels fun, but in that kind of surreal it is crazy we are doing this way,” reminisced one Augsburg student. 

On the Department of Public Safety (DPS) news website, they state that out of the 12 break-ins thus far, two of them have had items stolen. They say that there is no description of the suspect and that DPS is currently investigating. DPS did not provide any comment outside of their news reports. 

Tysean Hughes, one of the students affected by the break-ins, provided comment about how he felt. “Honestly, I did not feel adequately supported by DPS or the university after my car was broken into on campus. While I understand that DPS cannot prevent every incident, I expected more assistance […] Instead, I felt like I was left to deal with the situation and its financial consequences on my own. Considering how much students pay for campus parking, I think it is reasonable to expect a greater level of security, accountability, and support when incidents like this occur. Right now, I do not feel that the assistance and protection I received justified the cost of the parking pass.” He also went on to say, “Beyond the financial loss and inconvenience, it makes me question how seriously campus safety is being addressed and whether enough is being done to prevent these incidents from happening again. […] I understand that no campus can guarantee complete safety, but I believe the university should take these incidents seriously, communicate with affected students, and be more proactive about prevention. I hope this leads to meaningful changes so other students do not have to go through the same experience and feel like they are on their own afterward.”

Jessica Tezoquipa had a different perspective during her interview. “My car was broken into; they took a flashlight and a lighter, but they also left a used meth pipe in my car. DPS made a report and checked my car with gloves and evidence bags to see what else could’ve been left behind, but that was it. They did good for what they could do after the fact, as opposed to me having to call MPD and wait even longer; but they should’ve done more work to stop a break-in from happening in the first place. I appreciate DPS for checking my car after [the] fact either way.” She also shared her perspective on parking passes. “I personally see my 200 dollar parking permit not as expressly paying to protect my car but rather to have the comfort of having a place to park my car on campus, but DPS should still provide protection for my vehicle.”

The resounding student opinion that the Echo has gathered is that students expect better than this from Augsburg University. They want more than the gossip about the broken windows, maybe caused by bored teenagers. There is a call from the student body for more updates and more information from DPS about DPS.