"I remember hearing about one or two last year," Hurst said. "But I would say it's not that common."

But the thefts concern Bossert and Co-Master Mary L. Bossert, as well as Senior Tutor Eugene C. McAfee. They sent an e-mail message to Lowell residents Monday, warning students to lock their doors and avoid leaving valuables unattended.

"We are just still very concerned about thefts in the house and that is the main thing," Bossert said.

Students, however, do not seem worried about the problem. Most said they do not plan to take any special precautions.

"We always keep our door locked and we live on the third floor, so we haven't really been concerned," Hurst said.

Mira S. Burghardt '98 echoed Hurst's sentiments, but said the thefts are making her a little more cautious.

"I always lock my doors anyway, so I'm not so worried," Burghardt said. "In general I'm just watching where I put my stuff."

But Joydip Kundu '99 said fellow House residents should be especially concerned about leaving their belongings unattended near the dining hall.

"It's not so much being worried about what was stolen from our rooms," Kundu said. "It's being worried about what's stolen from out there, in front of the dining hall. People leave their backpacks and stuff there."

According to a report issued by the Cambridge Police Department two weeks ago, city crime rates fell to their lowest level in 35 years in 1997.