Security – Stolen Items
About an hour ago, 2 laptops were stolen from the Quiet Room.
One belonging to Filippo Vanuucci One belonging to Allison Walker
Both Mac laptops were left unattended for a brief period of time.
Both NYU Security and the NYPD came and took reports.
This is especially bitter because just on Friday, Dean Robert Cameron sent a campus wide security alert to TSOA students, faculty and staff regarding recent thefts in the building (Gordie also forwarded this to the ITP Announce List):
” In recent days two unattended laptop computers have been stolen from members of the Tisch School of the Arts community. The thefts occurred in two separate locations within the 721 Broadway complex.
NYU?s Office of Public Safety is investigating the thefts. In the meantime, I strongly urge everyone to safeguard his or her belongings and not leave valuable items unattended, even briefly.
——————— via NYU E-Mail Direct ——————— “
ITP is such a close knit community that it is way too easy to dismiss these threats and get tricked into a sense that our community is insulated from these types of things. Truth is, they are rare events for ITP, making it even easier to fall into a sense of complacency when leaving personal belongings on the floor. This only adds to the sense of violation when they do occur.
So, first, if anyone saw anything suspicious or an unfamiliar person come onto the floor between 2:55 and 3:15PM – probably very briefly – maybe they entered the floor and then quickly left either via the lounge door by the elevators or the door off the corner of the Quiet Room (over by the lockers) — please get in touch with me or George Agudow and/or Filippo and Allison directly. Any information you can share might help — especially if this is a building wide situation that is growing. The last time we had a rash of thefts like this across multiple floors, the thief was eventually apprehended thanks to the sharing of information with NYU Security.
Second, after talking the matter over with Red, ITP is going to purchase laptop locks that can be checked out from the ER. They will all be keyed alike so we are not dealing with 30-50 individual keys. This will minimize the risk of theft should you take advantage of using one while working on the floor. The key will only be available from the ER and you will most likely need to have someone an ER Staff member unlock the laptop for you. If you would prefer purchase your own laptop lock, you can do so via the NYU Computer Bookstore for about $40. — probably the cheapest they will be found for since they sell them at a bit of a discount to the community to begin with.
Third, you should be aware of some reasonable insurance options which could protect you:
1. Student Personal Property Insurance: Available via CSI and The Fireman’s Fund, NYU Students get special discounted rates: Info here: http://www.nyu.edu/insurance/Student%20Property%20Insurance.pdf
2. Apartment Insurance: Available from most insurance companies (State Farm, Allstate, etc) Most apartment insurance will cover thefts on campus if you are a students — be sure to ask about this as it may be an additional option.
3. Traveler’s Insurance: If you have travelers insurance, there are certain instances where you may be covered on a loss on campus, especially if you keep your mailing address for that insurance in the state or country you normally reside in (if other than nyc).
Please, please, please — be proactive in protecting your belongings.
Best.
Rob
ITP | Rob Ryan Technical Operations Manager | Technical Producer Recent Winter Show: http://itp.nyu.edu/show Mail: rob.ryan@nyu.edu Phone: 212-998-9172