Thieves stole computers, equipment from Hays weekly

TEXAS COMPUTERS STOLEN Thieves stole computers, equipment from Hays weekly:

Thieves stole computers, equipment from Hays weekly Print E-mail
Texas Press Messenger
Tuesday, June 10 2008 00:00

The Hays Free Press in Kyle was burglarized last month and the thieves stole computers and other essential equipment, leaving the staff empty-handed and scrambling to get out editions.

The incident serves as a wake-up call to other newspapers about the important role technology now plays in publishing a newspaper.

On Monday, May 12, David White showed up to work around 8:30 a.m. at the Free Press office but when he got inside he thought the building felt humid and as he walked further inside he saw the back door open and several computers missing.

Publisher emeritus Bob Barton had been at the office around 11:30 p.m. Sunday night, May 11, when the lights went out. He thought a breaker had blown so he felt his way to the front door and locked it on his way out.

What he didn’t realize is that thieves had cut the phone lines and electricity, and they were working on kicking in the back door.

Publisher Cyndy Slovak-Barton said the thieves ransacked the office and took six Macintosh computers, a Macintosh server, several monitors, camera equipment, a Dell laptop, software, CDs and various other office equipment and furniture. She said they also took personal items such as photos, a baby bed for two infants whose parents are in the office, and children’s toys.

When they were done the thieves used baby wipes also from the office to clear their own fingerprints, and everyone else’s in the office, from all the surfaces they touched, Slovak-Barton said.

“The thieves took only Mac equipment. Our circulation department had just installed a brand new PC with all of our circulation files on it. They just kicked it over and stole the monitor. Obviously, they knew that Macs have a better resell value,” Slovak-Barton said.

But the community, friends, family members and fellow newspapers lent the staff a hand, brought in computers and helped get the Free Press back in business in the meantime. And in spite of the burglary the May 14 edition was only three hours late.

Unfortunately though the newspaper lost lots of data and crucial files. The staff was running a major backup and left it to finish over the weekend of the burglary.

“The reason we were doing a massive backup was because I had heard while at the South Texas Press Association convention about a newspaper that had everything stolen ,” Slovak-Barton said. “I insisted we do a backup. Well, we were doing what I said. We just did it and left it on premises!”

She said that was the most important lesson gained from the awful experience.

“Don’t ever leave your backup running over the weekend. Take it home, even if it is not finished,” Slovak-Barton said. “We have now gone to a triple backup system. However, at this point we don’t have anything backed up at all because we have been unable to get our billing system up and running. But the new plans call for a triple backup. By the way, doing all bills by hand really makes you appreciate invoicing by computer!”

Slovak-Barton offers several other words of advice to newspapers.

• Have copies of all receipts to office equipment in one place. She did and was able to provide original copies to the insurance company.

• Review your insurance policy and make sure it has enough coverage for computers as well as cameras and other equipment.

• Be ready to replace the equipment on your own initially, without help from the insurance company. She said she maxed out the newspaper and personal credit cards and had to turn in those receipts before getting an insurance check.

• Be sure that all office computers use passwords. Slovak-Barton said they did and that helped protect sensitive financial and personnel data from being hacked.

“I still wake up at nights, wondering if the office is OK. I know many staff members who, like myself, have driven into town in the middle of the night to ‘check on the office.’ No one feels totally secure anymore. We are in an old building and we have drilled through the back wall from the outside in, secured the door with metal bars, etc. But, until I get everything completely backed up off site, I will not rest easy,” she said.

“Heck, I might never rest easy again.”