Series of thefts plagues campus
Stolen items include computer, money, costumes
by Allegra Abramson | Llama Ledger Staff
Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News
First-year Charlie Fink left his laptop in a study room on the third floor of the Student Union on Nov. 11, and when he went to retrieve it the next morning, it was gone. Fink filed a report with Security, but it has been over a month now, and with each day that passes, it seems less and less likely that he will see his laptop again.
A series of thefts across campus, ranging from missing Macbooks like Fink's to a car broken into in the library parking lot, have students and faculty concerned for the safety of their valuables, although no one culprit is currently suspect.
When students report an item missing exceeding $250 in value, Security faxes a report to the Great Barrington Police Department, which keeps a record of the incident for tracing purposes, should the item turn up at a later date off-campus.
Fink said he went through the processes after his laptop disappeared, but there was little Security could do to help him locate his computer. "I went to Security and I filled out a report. They can't search rooms or anything, so they contact the police."
There are other methods of helping students track down missing computers on campus, but Fink has not found these helpful so far, either. "ITS tracks the Mac or IP address of computers, so if anyone logs onto my computer on the network anywhere on campus, they'll know when and where. That hasn't happened yet."
Though there is no current suspect, Fink said he might have a theory as to why a number of Macbooks have gone missing recently. "I think a couple of people are making a business out of it—Macbooks are being stolen. It could be townies."
Although most theft takes place in common areas such as the Student Union, incidents have occurred in cars and dormitories, areas presumed to be safe because they are considered personal space. First-year Robin Caskey opened her wallet to find almost $100 missing in early November, despite nearly always keeping her door locked.
"I talked to Keon [Diggs], my RD, about it and let him know exactly what happened. I told him I keep my door locked and he said he'd note it and I should talk to Security," Caskey said.
Caskey said this incident has affected the way she behaves on campus, even in her own room. "I hide my wallet and don't have a lot of cash on me anymore and I'm even more cautious about locking my door. I check my money regularly."
Occurrences of theft also portray Simon's Rock in a very negative light when parents catch wind of them, Caskey said. "My mom was furious. She wasn't angry at me for losing the money, but she couldn't believe people steal here, and it made her think Simon's Rock wasn't the community she previously thought it was."
Other instances have included theft from the Snack Bar, missing items from bathroom lockers, a serious and several-hundred-dollar-worthy car break-in on Nov. 9, costumes for The Tempest disappearing from the Daniel Arts Center, and many others, according to Security logs.
In a global email sent on Nov. 12, Director of Security John Markland reminded students basic tips to secure their valuables.
He said to remember to lock doors and windows even when leaving for a short time; never prop open doors in dorm areas; store all valuables out of sight; do not keep large sums of money, jewelry, or other valuable items in dorms; lock cars and car windows; park cars in well lit areas; keep keys ready at all times; and report missing keys to Security immediately.
Contact the author: aabramson@llamaledger.com
A series of thefts across campus, ranging from missing Macbooks like Fink's to a car broken into in the library parking lot, have students and faculty concerned for the safety of their valuables, although no one culprit is currently suspect.
When students report an item missing exceeding $250 in value, Security faxes a report to the Great Barrington Police Department, which keeps a record of the incident for tracing purposes, should the item turn up at a later date off-campus.
Fink said he went through the processes after his laptop disappeared, but there was little Security could do to help him locate his computer. "I went to Security and I filled out a report. They can't search rooms or anything, so they contact the police."
There are other methods of helping students track down missing computers on campus, but Fink has not found these helpful so far, either. "ITS tracks the Mac or IP address of computers, so if anyone logs onto my computer on the network anywhere on campus, they'll know when and where. That hasn't happened yet."
Though there is no current suspect, Fink said he might have a theory as to why a number of Macbooks have gone missing recently. "I think a couple of people are making a business out of it—Macbooks are being stolen. It could be townies."
Although most theft takes place in common areas such as the Student Union, incidents have occurred in cars and dormitories, areas presumed to be safe because they are considered personal space. First-year Robin Caskey opened her wallet to find almost $100 missing in early November, despite nearly always keeping her door locked.
"I talked to Keon [Diggs], my RD, about it and let him know exactly what happened. I told him I keep my door locked and he said he'd note it and I should talk to Security," Caskey said.
Caskey said this incident has affected the way she behaves on campus, even in her own room. "I hide my wallet and don't have a lot of cash on me anymore and I'm even more cautious about locking my door. I check my money regularly."
Occurrences of theft also portray Simon's Rock in a very negative light when parents catch wind of them, Caskey said. "My mom was furious. She wasn't angry at me for losing the money, but she couldn't believe people steal here, and it made her think Simon's Rock wasn't the community she previously thought it was."
Other instances have included theft from the Snack Bar, missing items from bathroom lockers, a serious and several-hundred-dollar-worthy car break-in on Nov. 9, costumes for The Tempest disappearing from the Daniel Arts Center, and many others, according to Security logs.
In a global email sent on Nov. 12, Director of Security John Markland reminded students basic tips to secure their valuables.
He said to remember to lock doors and windows even when leaving for a short time; never prop open doors in dorm areas; store all valuables out of sight; do not keep large sums of money, jewelry, or other valuable items in dorms; lock cars and car windows; park cars in well lit areas; keep keys ready at all times; and report missing keys to Security immediately.
Contact the author: aabramson@llamaledger.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Olivia Spencer
posted 12/08/07 @ 7:12 PM EST
I think it's important to note that the costumes were returned to the set of the Tempest, since adding them to the list of the stolen items makes it seem as thought someone took them with malicious intent. (Continued…)
Allegra
posted 12/09/07 @ 4:17 AM EST
I guess, but I'm not sure who gets to decide when the "intent" behind "stealing" or "borrowing" really matters. While it's true that, in this case, the costumes were returned by whoever took them, it's also true that several rather compelling emails were sent out urging people to look for them and listing reasons why it was imperative that they be returned. (Continued…)
Anon
posted 12/15/07 @ 5:18 PM EST
These little flare-ups of serial thievery are nothing new, nor are they out of the ordinary...
"It could be townies."
Jesus Christ...
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