NEW BRUNSWICK COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.thebruns.ca/articles/47209
Laptop thefts continue at UNB
Hilary Paige Smith - News Editor
September 13, 2011 11:40 AM ADT
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Electronics thefts on campus are related, director of Campus Security Bruce Rogerson said, but there’s no telling if those committing them are members of the UNB community.
In the past year, there have been more than a dozen instances of laptop and desktop theft, as well as the theft of hard drives and MP3 devices. The majority of thefts have taken place in Head Hall at the bottom of campus.
The rash of thefts continued this week, with incidents on Sept. 10 and 12. A $3,000 iMac desktop computer was stolen from an office in Head Hall sometime between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. overnight on Sunday. Someone also attempted to cut a security cord off a computer in Head Hall between mid-August and Sept. 10. Someone attempted to take another iMac computer from the Chemical Engineering department between Sept. 6 and 7, but instead dropped it on the floor and left it there.
“Obviously, some of this stuff, somebody should know something. You don’t miss that many computers in a short period of time,” Rogerson said.
Rogerson said there is no doubt the thefts are connected and soon they’ll have to take new measures to catch those involved.
“It’s getting to the point now where we’re going to start offering rewards, for anybody that knows the person and or persons responsible for these thefts,” he said.
There are security cameras on campus, but Rogerson said they haven’t turned up “as much as we’d like.”
“You don’t want a camera on every corner of the campus. You want students to feel secure, but you don’t want them to feel like they’re being watched,” he said.
These incidents, as well as past incidents, have been handed over to Fredericton Police Force for investigation. Campus Security does not have the power to search and seize suspects.
“With these two particular cases that are quite recent, we open a file and investigate those and if it is determined that there is a number that come in they will be turned over to our neighborhood action team who are able to coordinate the efforts from a team approach,” Cst. Rick Mooney, media relations officer with the force, said.
Mooney said there are important measures community members should be taking to ensure the security of their valuables.
“It can happen to anyone. It’s important to recognize this is happening and there are a few steps that can be taken to prevent thefts such as making sure valuables are secured and locked properly and not left in an area where someone could pick them up. It’s basically a matter of personal security, I don’t think paranoia is what we’re going for, but a healthy balance of keeping your articles safe and making sure they are protected,” he said.
Rogerson said students should be on the lookout for suspicious individuals, people carrying large electronics and computers sales that seem “too good to be true.”
David Coleman, dean of Engineering, also said his department is looking at different alternatives regarding the issuing of master keys in an email sent to the Engineering faculty.
With files from Christopher Cameron.
Laptop thefts continue at UNB
Hilary Paige Smith - News Editor
September 13, 2011 11:40 AM ADT
share
4
Electronics thefts on campus are related, director of Campus Security Bruce Rogerson said, but there’s no telling if those committing them are members of the UNB community.
In the past year, there have been more than a dozen instances of laptop and desktop theft, as well as the theft of hard drives and MP3 devices. The majority of thefts have taken place in Head Hall at the bottom of campus.
The rash of thefts continued this week, with incidents on Sept. 10 and 12. A $3,000 iMac desktop computer was stolen from an office in Head Hall sometime between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. overnight on Sunday. Someone also attempted to cut a security cord off a computer in Head Hall between mid-August and Sept. 10. Someone attempted to take another iMac computer from the Chemical Engineering department between Sept. 6 and 7, but instead dropped it on the floor and left it there.
“Obviously, some of this stuff, somebody should know something. You don’t miss that many computers in a short period of time,” Rogerson said.
Rogerson said there is no doubt the thefts are connected and soon they’ll have to take new measures to catch those involved.
“It’s getting to the point now where we’re going to start offering rewards, for anybody that knows the person and or persons responsible for these thefts,” he said.
There are security cameras on campus, but Rogerson said they haven’t turned up “as much as we’d like.”
“You don’t want a camera on every corner of the campus. You want students to feel secure, but you don’t want them to feel like they’re being watched,” he said.
These incidents, as well as past incidents, have been handed over to Fredericton Police Force for investigation. Campus Security does not have the power to search and seize suspects.
“With these two particular cases that are quite recent, we open a file and investigate those and if it is determined that there is a number that come in they will be turned over to our neighborhood action team who are able to coordinate the efforts from a team approach,” Cst. Rick Mooney, media relations officer with the force, said.
Mooney said there are important measures community members should be taking to ensure the security of their valuables.
“It can happen to anyone. It’s important to recognize this is happening and there are a few steps that can be taken to prevent thefts such as making sure valuables are secured and locked properly and not left in an area where someone could pick them up. It’s basically a matter of personal security, I don’t think paranoia is what we’re going for, but a healthy balance of keeping your articles safe and making sure they are protected,” he said.
Rogerson said students should be on the lookout for suspicious individuals, people carrying large electronics and computers sales that seem “too good to be true.”
David Coleman, dean of Engineering, also said his department is looking at different alternatives regarding the issuing of master keys in an email sent to the Engineering faculty.
With files from Christopher Cameron.
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