WEST VIRGINIA COMPUTERS STOLEN http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/559355/Ministry-Seeks-To-Recover-Computers.html?nav=510
Ministry Seeks To Recover Computers
September 14, 2011
By DAVE GOSSETT For The Intelligencer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
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Angie Brown cried when she realized her office computer had been stolen.
"We have some work going on in our building and at first I thought someone had moved it. When I realized it was gone, I started crying. My last nine years of Urban Mission history is on that computer and now it's gone," Brown said Monday.
"It's not the value of the computer but the information stored in it. If the person who took it will make arrangements to give it back I won't ask any questions," Brown, the Urban Mission secretary, said.
Brown's computer was one of three stolen from the Urban Mission Ministries during the early morning hours 12 days ago.
She is bringing her personal laptop computer to her office every day but also takes it home in the evening.
"I don't want to lose my own computer or the information I am putting back together," said Brown.
The executive director of the Urban Mission Ministries said Monday planning for the Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets has been crippled by the theft of the three office computers.
"But," said the Rev. Ashley Steele, "we are moving forward and will continue gearing up for the holidays. We are currently serving more than 1,000 families a month and that number will increase for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"The theft of those computers hurt us but it has also brought us together. The theft has actually brought us together as a team. This is an opportunity to better serve the community and serve as a witness for Jesus. We are the hands and feet of Jesus and we are a people of hope. There is still work to do," Steele commented.
"Thankfully we have a faith foundation. That doesn't mean we don't get upset and feel the emotions because being a victim of a theft is unsettling and your life has been violated," commented Steele.
The theft of the three computers also meant the loss of information.
"Not financial information but operating information. We still have paper documents but a lot of that information will have to be put back into our system. Our secretary's computer and backup was taken and that hurt us because she had our server in her system," explained Steele.
According to Steele, the mission's security company notified City Police at 3:30 a.m. Sept. 3 of an alarm.
"The security company also notified our local keyholder but then told him the police had found the doors locked. It turns out someone was in the building for about three hours carefully removing three specific computers but leaving printers and scanners behind. They apparently had free reign of most of the building," said Steele.
"It was probably someone who has been in here before. Hundreds of people are in this building every week. They knew exactly what they wanted and they only took three computer screens and towers that were a couple of years old," Steele noted.
"We are still open to anyone who has knowledge of the thefts. If someone has the computers they are welcome to call us, or if they prefer they can call another pastor to arrange the return of the computers. We won't ask a lot of questions," noted Steele.
The computer thefts are still under investigation by city police.
"It's tragic someone would stoop that low to break into an agency office that helps people in need. Anyone who has information about the computer thefts is urged to contact me or our detective bureau," said police Chief Bill McCafferty.
Steele said she is encouraged by the community support since the theft was made public.
"I have seen a lot of good people come forward with offers of money or computers. The local churches have been very helpful and we are seeing support from businesses and individuals. We have also stepped up our security," Steele said.
Ministry Seeks To Recover Computers
September 14, 2011
By DAVE GOSSETT For The Intelligencer , The Intelligencer / Wheeling News-Register
Save | Comments (1) | Post a comment |
Angie Brown cried when she realized her office computer had been stolen.
"We have some work going on in our building and at first I thought someone had moved it. When I realized it was gone, I started crying. My last nine years of Urban Mission history is on that computer and now it's gone," Brown said Monday.
"It's not the value of the computer but the information stored in it. If the person who took it will make arrangements to give it back I won't ask any questions," Brown, the Urban Mission secretary, said.
Brown's computer was one of three stolen from the Urban Mission Ministries during the early morning hours 12 days ago.
She is bringing her personal laptop computer to her office every day but also takes it home in the evening.
"I don't want to lose my own computer or the information I am putting back together," said Brown.
The executive director of the Urban Mission Ministries said Monday planning for the Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets has been crippled by the theft of the three office computers.
"But," said the Rev. Ashley Steele, "we are moving forward and will continue gearing up for the holidays. We are currently serving more than 1,000 families a month and that number will increase for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"The theft of those computers hurt us but it has also brought us together. The theft has actually brought us together as a team. This is an opportunity to better serve the community and serve as a witness for Jesus. We are the hands and feet of Jesus and we are a people of hope. There is still work to do," Steele commented.
"Thankfully we have a faith foundation. That doesn't mean we don't get upset and feel the emotions because being a victim of a theft is unsettling and your life has been violated," commented Steele.
The theft of the three computers also meant the loss of information.
"Not financial information but operating information. We still have paper documents but a lot of that information will have to be put back into our system. Our secretary's computer and backup was taken and that hurt us because she had our server in her system," explained Steele.
According to Steele, the mission's security company notified City Police at 3:30 a.m. Sept. 3 of an alarm.
"The security company also notified our local keyholder but then told him the police had found the doors locked. It turns out someone was in the building for about three hours carefully removing three specific computers but leaving printers and scanners behind. They apparently had free reign of most of the building," said Steele.
"It was probably someone who has been in here before. Hundreds of people are in this building every week. They knew exactly what they wanted and they only took three computer screens and towers that were a couple of years old," Steele noted.
"We are still open to anyone who has knowledge of the thefts. If someone has the computers they are welcome to call us, or if they prefer they can call another pastor to arrange the return of the computers. We won't ask a lot of questions," noted Steele.
The computer thefts are still under investigation by city police.
"It's tragic someone would stoop that low to break into an agency office that helps people in need. Anyone who has information about the computer thefts is urged to contact me or our detective bureau," said police Chief Bill McCafferty.
Steele said she is encouraged by the community support since the theft was made public.
"I have seen a lot of good people come forward with offers of money or computers. The local churches have been very helpful and we are seeing support from businesses and individuals. We have also stepped up our security," Steele said.
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