On the West Coast, not so many bikes as skate boards on campus. I guess they’re easier to carry with you to class. Still pretty big item.
DD’s school has pretty strict rules about stealing. That said - her uniform shoes had to be replaced because they went missing. Every single student in the school wears the same shoes, I believe if someone has them it was an accident, and no, I don’t think they were labeled at all which is our fault. Unfortunately, we are struggling to afford school in the first place and new shoes were not in the budget 
Virtually no theft at Thacher, although I’m sure that there must be the occasional random act. The school makes a huge deal that you can leave stuff around and it will be right there when you come back for it. No doors are ever locked. It’s probably not the best training for real life, but it’s sure nice to know you can have a few years where honesty reigns.
Other than the “borrowed” bike issues last year, that is how Peddie is too. At revisit day, there was a huge pile of backpacks outside with no one around. DH was so surprised that he actually pulled someone aside and asked about it. He was shocked at the trust and honor - much different than our public school experiences. It is part of what sold my reluctant DH on this whole thing. DS has left tennis racquets around, a laptop containing backpack in the hallways etc with no problem. While he will have to make a huge life adjustment when he exits the BS bubble, it is a nice break and allows for some optimism about human nature. 
I know I’ve posted this before, but ChoatieSergeant’s college has its honor code etched in granite in the center of campus:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadet_Honor_Code#/media/File:TheCadetHonorCodeMonument.jpg
Stealing is cause for immediate separation. Unfortunately, it happens, but there is zero tolerance.
Besides issues with E&R Laundry, the only instance of stealing at Choate that we were aware of was with a housekeeper who was eventually arrested. The kids leave their stuff everywhere. Occasionally someone will accidentally pick up something from the pile that isn’t theirs, but it eventually gets sorted out.
@makp715 The first year I used permanent markers to label DS’s shoes in the middle of sole where it does not get dirty. If the shoe sole was black, I used silver-color permanent marker to label the shoes. I also labeled along the side of the sole for extra attention, lol.
We never had any issues with stealing, but DS was very annoyed by his first year roommate who “borrowed” his mechanical pencils and other stationery without asking. He had a box of 20 mechanical pencils (with his preferred 0.9 mm lead) and ended up with only a few left at the end of the year. I guess his roommate was a big writer.
“DS was very annoyed by his first year roommate who “borrowed” his mechanical pencils and other stationery without asking. He had a box of 20 mechanical pencils (with his preferred 0.9 mm lead) and ended up with only a few left at the end of the year. I guess his roommate was a big writer”
I think this is the type of stuff that needs to be ironed out with roommates at the beginning of the school year, whether BS or college. In an ideal world, the roommate would definitely ask permission first. However, one of my kids, probably both, would have no issue with this kind of “borrowing” by a roommate. I think folks have different styles when it comes to sharing with someone you’re living with and conflicts happen when those styles clash yet they are often easy to fix.
DD’s roommate last year really liked her chocolate:).
No doors locked at Choate. Nothing stolen (unless you count the numerous lost socks, underwear, etc from on campus laundry endeavors); and this is a girl’s dorm! Many of the refurbished dorms have washers and dryers in the dorms, which helps lost laundry issues immensely.
Having kids spend 13 combined years at PEA, I can say it is a very rare for things to go missing. Only one incident -when our oldest DS left wallet with cash in the gym locker room years ago. Doors are unlocked always and backpacks are throw in piles upon entry to the cafeteria etc…
Our youngest did start locking up her bike, as it got used a few times by kids who left it across campus, which resulted in panic on her part.
At PEA currently lots of bikes have been stolen. I talked to the police and it was a big problem this year. However, in our case, the wallet left at the gym was turned in. Money was stolen off of DS desk though. One boys dorm was not allowed to V’s for the term because of a bunch of thefts that had occurred.
PEA is having a terrible problem with theft. It is no longer rare–assuming it was. Money, jewelry, computers and bags etc. Bikes were often thought to be stolen by locals. Borrowed by other students… These are students stealing from other students.
I don’t think there’s anything major at Choate. I’ve heard about incidents, but they almost all sound like friends borrowing things without asking… I’ve accidentally left things places (bags, jackets, phone…) and they have always either been left there or sent to lost & found.
@Center as a parent of 2 current students, we have not had this experience. Our kids have not had anything taken nor have they shared any instances they have heard of happening in Dorms, on campus or with friends.
@vegas1 thats fortunate for you. Thats not what we have experienced. @momof3swimmers experience echos what we have seen and heard.