TUPD reports more laptop thefts this year

With high numbers of laptop thefts continuing on campus, the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) is attempting to create more awareness of the threat among students.

According to TUPD Captain Mark Keith, there have been over 12 laptop thefts this semester -- many more than in past semesters. As a result, the department has tried to increase student awareness of theft since September.

"We're just trying to raise the community's awareness that we have had several laptops stolen since the beginning of the semester. We just want to prevent [students] from becoming victims," Keith said.

The laptop theft problem reaches off campus as well, as Somerville Police have also reported higher than normal numbers of laptop thefts since Oct. 1.

"They've had numerous burglaries in this end of town, with many laptops taken as well," Keith said. "We are working with Somerville and Medford as well as other surrounding agencies, trying to identify some suspects and trying to identify where the laptops might be being fenced."

According to TUPD Administrative Captain Ron Brevard, the majority of laptop thefts are a result of people leaving the computers unattended.

"Up at Tisch, we've had incidents where the person will go and do some research or they're looking up books," Brevard said. "In one case, we had a laptop that was left unattended for a long period of time, and when the student came back, it was gone."

Measures taken by the Department since September include numerous security alerts and various crime prevention displays. TUPD has also increased outreach work through Operation Awareness and the dorm liaison program, which includes "Have Trunk, Will Travel."

"We try to be as proactive as possible," Brevard said. "In Operation Awareness, we talk about laptop security -- not leaving them unattended, keeping the room doors locked, and cabling devices for laptop security."

In an effort to raise awareness about the thefts, TUPD has added some new methods of reaching the student body. "Currently in addition to the regular security alerts that we've done, we've made up some posters, as well as tabletop tents," Keith said.

TUPD plans to begin selling laptop cable locks to students. "Right now we have bicycle locks. We'll buy a number of them, and then sell them at cost. It makes it easier for a student to come by here. We're looking into getting a stock of laptop cables to do the same thing," Keith said.

Though cable locks are not totally secure, they act as deterrents, according to Brevard. "The good thing about the cables is it just prevents someone from walking in and picking the thing up and walking off with it. It will prevent that crime of opportunity that they've been taking."

Keith said that students should record their laptop's serial and model numbers, to make retrieval possible if stolen computers are found. "If we don't have those, we're never going to be able to retrieve property if we do happen to find some stolen items," Keith said.

Even with the awareness efforts by TUPD and other departments, many students still leave their laptops unlocked. "I would say that while most people in my hall do not consistently use a lock, all make sure to never leave their laptops unattended," freshman Mickey Leibner said. "I have [a lock] and use it when I know I am going to use the laptop somewhere public, like the library. But I don't use it in my room, I just lock the door," Leibner said.