Kuprevich and officers debate removal of 'DP's

The legality of last Thursday's removal of nearly 14,000 copies of The Daily Pennsylvanian continues to fuel campus debate. Despite University Police Commissioner John Kuprevich's claim that the theft was not criminal, members of the University's chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police said yesterday that they disagree. "We do not believe that the University's position that no theft occurred is accurate," according to a statement released yesterday by members of the Fraternal Order of Police. Last Thursday, Kuprevich said that "there are no criminal charges that apply because the paper is being put out free at access points to be taken." Kuprevich could not be reached for comment yesterday. The FOP said the theft might have violated at least three criminal codes -- tampering with public records or information, theft and criminal mischief. A person is guilty of tampering with public records or information if he "intentionally and unlawfully destroys, removes, or otherwise impairs the availibility of any such record, document, or thing," according to the Crime Code of Pennsylvania. A person is guilty of criminal mischief, if he "damages tangible property of another intentionally . . . or intentionally or recklessly causes another to suffer pecuniary loss by deception or threat," according to the Crime Code. Criminal mischief is a felony if the person intentionally causes financial loss in excess of $5,000. And a person is guilty of theft "if he unlawfully takes, or exercises unlawful control over, movable property of another with intent to deprive him thereof." Movable property includes "documents," and to "deprive" means "to dispose of the property so as to make it unlikely that the owner will recover it," the Code said. DP Executive Editor Stephen Glass said the FOP's statement confirms the paper's position that the theft is criminal.