TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN FROM UNIVERSITYStolen equipment from O&M reaches $15,000 - The Battalion - NewsStolen equipment from O&M reaches $15,000
By Ashley Dias
Published: Tuesday, June 28, 2005
Article Tools: Page 1 of 1


Media Credit: Andrew Burleson
SOURCE: Maureen Reap


Texas A&M's Oceanography and Meteorology (O&M) Building has recently been the target of a number of high-dollar thefts, including that of a ceiling-mounted digital projector valued at $6,992.

Maureen Reap, the building proctor for the O&M Building, said that since Thanksgiving, around $15,000 in equipment has been stolen. Reap said the stolen items include four laptop computers, lab equipment, three digital cameras and the ceiling-mounted digital projector, which was stolen earlier this month.

"Multiple thefts have occurred throughout the O&M Building; no floor is immune," Reap said. "The departments of oceanography, geography and atmospheric sciences have all been hit."

Reap said the O&M Building closes daily at 5 p.m. and that labs and offices are properly secured. She said security measures have been increased as a preventive measure.

"(Preventive efforts) planned for this summer are card-swipe door locks and cameras within the building," Reap said.

University Police Department (UPD) Detective Todd Tumlinson said UPD is still trying to resolve this case and that it has had success in the past with returning stolen technology items. UPD has no suspects or leads on the projector theft at this time.

"We have located and brought back a couple of laptop computers," Tumlinson said.

Tumlinson said UPD is encouraging the use of audible alarms on items such as ceiling-mounted projectors to help prevent future theft.

Reap said the Blocker Media Center is held responsible for the audio and video equipment in classrooms.

"They don't have the budget to replace all the projectors that have been stolen this year," Reap said. "This one may not be replaced for some time, which will impact instruction in that room."

Chris McKinney, a senior meteorology major, said the thefts are having a negative effect on the learning environment at the O&M Building, but that the administration is keeping students well informed of the situation.

"Any time you have people taking instructional materials, it's an impediment - it's frustrating," McKinney said. "(The administration) is doing a good job of making us aware. We'll get an e-mail every few months saying, 'Please watch your stuff.'"

Tumlinson said UPD checks pawn shops and collaborates with College Station, Bryan and Tomball police departments on technology related cases.

Tumlinson also said the O&M Building isn't the only building on campus affected by technology theft. Tumlinson said the Animal Science Building had two projectors stolen and that the Anthropology Building had two digital cameras stolen during month of June.