In August, Ohio University’s Ping Recreation Center spent $12,000 on five security cameras. It had already spent about $13,000 to install six cameras in 2006. So at this point, Ohio University has spent about $25,000, or a little more than the cost of eight quarters of tuition.

Surely such a large expenditure must mean that theft is high at Ping, or that a lot of fights are breaking out, and such documentation is necessary as evidence.

At least, that’s what you would think.

It turns out that since the start of the 2007-08 school year, only $550 of cash and merchandise at Ping has been reported stolen to the Ohio University Police Department. And since Ping’s inception, only one fight has been reported to the OUPD. During the 2005-06 school year, 28 thefts were reported, followed by 18 during the 2006-07 school year and five in 2007-08. Sept. 2008 saw five reported thefts.

While it’s necessary to note that thefts have gone down after the first cameras were installed two years ago, spending such a large sum of money to fix a small problem is not fiscally responsible. It’s like using a gun to kill a cockroach — it works, but it’s excessive.  Ping already provides lockers that students can use for a small fee to prevent theft. Moreover, since Ping is legally prohibited from installing cameras in locker rooms, lockers are students’ best option to prevent theft of their things.

Though OUPD Lt. Chris Johnson told The Post that he thinks the presence of cameras might discourage stealing, it seems difficult to ascertain what effect, if any, additional cameras might have on the already small theft rate.

Many other buildings on campus, even ones full of valuable merchandise, don’t have cameras — for example, Baker University Center is camera-free. Ping is not where cameras are most needed, if indeed they are needed at all. Perhaps the university should take a second look at its budget and reinvest the money elsewhere.

                                            Editorials represent the views of The Post’s executive editors.