MASSACHUSETTS REPEATED COMPUTER THEFT AT SCHOOL FRUSTRATING OFFICIALS DailyNewsTribune.com - Local / Regional News: Officials frustrated over electronic thefts

NEWTON -- The theft of thousands of dollars worth of electronics from Newton North High School over the last three years has frustrated police and left school officials "banging their heads against a wall."

Several desktop and laptop computers, monitors and LCD projectors have been stolen from locked classrooms at the school since Officer Dave Spirito began investigating crimes there in March 2003.

The latest theft was from a new, locked computer lab at the school Tuesday morning. "It’s frustrating," said Spirito. "There were no signs of forced entry."

He said a desktop computer and three flat-panel monitors were stolen. Two other computers were destroyed and their memory chips stolen, he said.

The computers and monitors were locked to tables in the lab, he said.

Spirito said police and school officials have no idea who is behind the thefts or how the locked rooms are entered.

He said every burglarized room has been opened with a key.

"This seems to be planned out," he said. "There are a couple of people up there who are banging their heads against a wall."

Michael Cronin, Chief of Operations for Newton schools, yesterday declined to comment on North’s security measures.

Lt. Bruce Apotheker said police have made suggestions, but do not have the authority to override decisions the school department makes.

"We have no control on the inside of the schools. All we can do is make suggestions," he said. "Based upon the history, it’s not going to stop any time soon."

Assistant Superintendent Judith Malone Neville said she hopes anyone who has information about the thefts will come forward.

"It really shouldn’t be tolerated. It takes away from people’s educational experiences," she said. "I’m just hoping that there will be some peer pressure student-to-student."

Neville, who said she is frustrated by the "heartbreaking" crime, said Newton North Principal Jennifer Huntington has spoken to students about the history of thefts. [continue]