Under lock and keyMatt CristIssue date: 9/26/06 Section: News Marshall University's computing services department has taken steps to protect computer lab equipment from theft, but, as history has shown, almost nothing is completely secure.However, with the advent of new security technologies combined with some defensive measures already in place, security is getting better. In December 2004, the Drinko Library was the scene of a major heist, when six laptop computers were stolen from the study center shortly after closing. The theft cost Marshall somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000, Chuck Elliot, associate director of customer services, said. Unfortunately, theft is not a rare occurrence in the Drinko Library Study Center, Elliot said. "We had a whole lab walk away one time, a whole lab," he said. "We caught the guy and he served over one year in jail." Chief Jim Terry, of the Marshall University Police Department, gets more larceny complaints than any other crime. "When security measures have been overcome, people in control of the security have to revise things," he said. Current security measures in the Drinko labs include security cameras, cables and locks on the computers, an around-the-clock staff in the study center, and other types of surveillance, such as frequent drive-bys by MUPD. "Every computer is locked in the labs and the study center and two years ago when the computers were stolen they were not all locked," Stephen Tipler, reference and information delivery services librarian, said. Newer technologies might benefit the university computing facilities, such as fiber optic cables that would set off an alarm when detached, and tracking software that can locate a computer once power is restored, Terry said. "They had a rash of flat screens stolen when they first put them in the library," he said. "The cable wires have helped put an end to that." Camera technology has also improved. "Cameras are the greatest thing since peanut butter," Terry said. Camera surveillance cannot only capture images of an offender, but it can pinpoint the time an incident occurs. It is also effective because digital cameras can record 24 hours a day, while the recordings only take up a small amount of hard drive space. Students should be aware that most thefts do not occur while the university computing facilities are closed but during normal operating hours, Terry said. "Most of our thefts are just straight up," he said. "Just this morning we had a young lady that went in the bathroom and set her book bag on the shelf. She went into the stall and came back out and her book bag was gone." Information regarding the theft of university or student property should be reported by contacting MUPD at (304) 696-HELP. Matt Crist can be contacted at crist6@marshall.edu. |
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