MISSISSIPPI COMPUTER STOLEN http://media.www.dailyhelmsman.com/media/storage/paper875/news/2010/10/21/News/Helmsman.Heist-3947807.shtml
Helmsman heist
Computers stolen from newsroom during The U of M's fall break
By: Erica Horton
Issue date: 10/21/10 Section: News
Daily Helmsman staffers found themselves seven computers short when they walked into the newsroom in the Edward J. Meeman Journalism Building on Wednesday afternoon.
Five iMacs, computer accessories and two central processing units with an estimated collective value of more than $10,000 were taken from the room at an unknown time during fall break.
Broken ceiling tiles and wires hung over the space where the sports computer once stood, with old newspapers, stylebooks and empty cups littering the other now-empty terminals. Keyboards and mice not stolen in the heist were later found stuffed into hidden spaces under and around the desks.
Two other iMacs, usually dedicated to advertising functions and similar to the ones stolen, and a computer providing the Helmsman's primary server connection were left untouched, as were four older-model desktops. Police Services at The University of Memphis is investigating the incident.
Hugh Busby, local technical support provider for the College of Communications and Fine Arts, said the stolen iMacs were less than 2 years old.
He said there was no sign of forced entry, and the room's alarm was not triggered.
"It had to be the perfect storm for them to do what they did," he said.
Helmsman general manager Candy Justice was among the victims. Discovering that her personal computer was among the stolen units, she lamented the loss of 20 years' worth of teaching materials she'd kept on the iMac in her office.
"I'm extremely discouraged because we just upgraded the newsroom," she said. "I personally was waiting for an upgrade for years."
Some Helmsman staffers, like photographer Brian Wilson, assumed the computers were taken away for maintenance work when they saw the empty desks. It wasn't until Helmsman advertising manager and journalism instructor Bob Willis told them otherwise that they found out the office had been pilfered.
Scott Carroll, managing editor of The Daily Helmsman, said the theft was a less-than-desirable way to return from fall break.
Five iMacs, computer accessories and two central processing units with an estimated collective value of more than $10,000 were taken from the room at an unknown time during fall break.
Broken ceiling tiles and wires hung over the space where the sports computer once stood, with old newspapers, stylebooks and empty cups littering the other now-empty terminals. Keyboards and mice not stolen in the heist were later found stuffed into hidden spaces under and around the desks.
Two other iMacs, usually dedicated to advertising functions and similar to the ones stolen, and a computer providing the Helmsman's primary server connection were left untouched, as were four older-model desktops. Police Services at The University of Memphis is investigating the incident.
Hugh Busby, local technical support provider for the College of Communications and Fine Arts, said the stolen iMacs were less than 2 years old.
He said there was no sign of forced entry, and the room's alarm was not triggered.
"It had to be the perfect storm for them to do what they did," he said.
Helmsman general manager Candy Justice was among the victims. Discovering that her personal computer was among the stolen units, she lamented the loss of 20 years' worth of teaching materials she'd kept on the iMac in her office.
"I'm extremely discouraged because we just upgraded the newsroom," she said. "I personally was waiting for an upgrade for years."
Some Helmsman staffers, like photographer Brian Wilson, assumed the computers were taken away for maintenance work when they saw the empty desks. It wasn't until Helmsman advertising manager and journalism instructor Bob Willis told them otherwise that they found out the office had been pilfered.
Scott Carroll, managing editor of The Daily Helmsman, said the theft was a less-than-desirable way to return from fall break.
"We'll still be putting out the paper, but this is a pretty bad way to start the second half of this semester," the internet journalism senior said. "It's going to add a little strain to our day-to-day operations. Our reporters might have to play musical chairs now to use the remaining computers, but I'm sure this will just be a minor speed bump."
Busby said the journalism department had experienced theft once before, more than 16 years ago, when a journalism student stole computers from one of the labs and tried to sell them. The student was caught and charged.
That incident aside, Busby said multiple-computer theft is not the norm for The U of M. When items are stolen, they're usually small, such as iPods, cell phones, laptops or cords.
Despite the thievery, business will continue as usual.
Editor-in-chief Megan Harris said the situation isn't ideal, but it is manageable.
"Petty theft isn't the sort of practical lesson we hope to teach our reporters firsthand," the senior print journalism major said, "but it's also a good opportunity to learn. We report on campus crime from week to week, but we don't often become the subjects of our own stories."
The theft will add a few obvious kinks to an already imperfect production process, Harris said, but the newspaper's final daily product will remain unchanged.
"We've existed in print since 1931. World wars, civil rights struggles and tuition hikes never stopped us," she said. "Why should this?"
Left in a confused frenzy, the student reporters made do with what they had. Some laughed while others wandered around, waiting for their turn at one of the four remaining computers.
A few left and returned with their laptops.
"I think the people here work hard enough with ample computers at their disposal," said John Martin, sophomore sports reporter. "Now that seven are gone, it's going to make it that much harder."
Busby said the journalism department had experienced theft once before, more than 16 years ago, when a journalism student stole computers from one of the labs and tried to sell them. The student was caught and charged.
That incident aside, Busby said multiple-computer theft is not the norm for The U of M. When items are stolen, they're usually small, such as iPods, cell phones, laptops or cords.
Despite the thievery, business will continue as usual.
Editor-in-chief Megan Harris said the situation isn't ideal, but it is manageable.
"Petty theft isn't the sort of practical lesson we hope to teach our reporters firsthand," the senior print journalism major said, "but it's also a good opportunity to learn. We report on campus crime from week to week, but we don't often become the subjects of our own stories."
The theft will add a few obvious kinks to an already imperfect production process, Harris said, but the newspaper's final daily product will remain unchanged.
"We've existed in print since 1931. World wars, civil rights struggles and tuition hikes never stopped us," she said. "Why should this?"
Left in a confused frenzy, the student reporters made do with what they had. Some laughed while others wandered around, waiting for their turn at one of the four remaining computers.
A few left and returned with their laptops.
"I think the people here work hard enough with ample computers at their disposal," said John Martin, sophomore sports reporter. "Now that seven are gone, it's going to make it that much harder."
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