More security needed around library to prevent theft issue

Well, it’s not like somebody’s breaking in and taking things. People walk away from their laptops and then act surprised when they’re gone. I’m not saying it’s okay, I’m just saying that when the simplest solution is to keep an eye on your own stuff, I don’t think the police really need to spend resources on this.

First of all, there are plenty of signs around the library warning people not to leave your stuff unattended. So, if you leave your laptop alone, you are running the risk of getting it stolen. Common sense. Plus, the library is a HUGE building, doing what you are suggesting would be financially unfeasible. So, people, just watch your stuff and there won’t be this problem.

And, how exactly would the police patrol for thieves? There is no way for the police to know if the laptop a person is using is or is not their property. If a white macbook gets stolen, are you suggesting that it would be a great use of police and campus resources to scour the building and question every person using a white macbook? That would take forever and an eternity.

Seriously. Keep an eye on your own stuff and you will be fine.

You are missing the point. The police could use footage from the security cameras to find the identity of the person who stole the laptop. I agree that people are stupid for leaving things unattended in the library, but that doesn’t make stealing something right. A crime is a crime, and the police need to do more to stop it!

Wait, there are security cameras in the library? Since when?

Yeah, because nothing will put patrons at ease about their security at the library by putting friggin police there.

Don’t have study groups of more than five people, you might get teargassed!

Have the library hire some loss prevention security. Anyone who has worked loss prevention would know how to blend in and pretend that they’re using the library.

is that, unlike in retail, it isn’t readily apparent to whom unattended items belong. And yes, they could install security cameras, but in order for them to be effective, they’d actually have to SHOW the theft being made. If they were only able to videotape the theif leaving laptop-in-hand, it’d be quite hard to prove that the theif hadn’t just had the laptop in his/her bag on the way in. So we’d have to have security cameras watching everything. Do you really want that in your library? Is it really necessary? No one has been robbed forcefully; the simplest solution here would be for people to grow up and watch their stuff at all times! It’s not that hard!

That said, a cheap way to put an end to some of this silliness would be to set up a sting. Leave a laptop unattended, perhaps with some sort of tracking device, then wait for it to get stolen. Have multiple witnesses and/or a camera, wait for the person to try to leave the building (so that he/she couldn’t claim to be turning it in as lost and found), then arrest the person and make a proper example out of him/her in a courtroom.

It’s actually the sort of crime for which someone could perform a citizen’s arrest, so if the Campus Republicans, YAF, etc. ever wanted to do something to justify their existance…

In other news: MSU has been experiencing budget problems and is flirting with raising tuition again.

In related news: Installing cameras throughout the library (since as others note, having them merely at the doors won’t help) will be expensive.

In still other news: Students don’t like paying extra tuition to provide security for morons who walk away from their valuables.

That is all.

George wins.

msu police bought new suv patrol cars last year. im pretty sure that money could have been well spent in other places.

theres people are idiots for leaving their expensive belongings unattended, but that doesn’t change the fact that the library is filled with criminals and the city and university has a responsibility to protect the students better!

“theres people are idiots for leaving their expensive belongings unattended, but that doesn’t change the fact that the library is filled with criminals and the city and university has a responsibility to protect the students better!”

You’re right! There should also be camera on every bike rack so that I can leave my bike unlocked! Police should station guards at every parking lot so I don’t have to lock my car! Every dorm room should have thumbprint scanners installed so I don’t have to lock my door and carry my keys! We should hire more guards for the locker rooms because I’m too cheap or stupid to secure my belongings!

News flash: YOU’RE IN COLLEGE NOW. Grow up and take responsibility for your actions.

One solution: put “undercover” cops possing as students and researchers. And walk around the library building. I bet there are many retire cops who would gladly to this work. Of course clean police record. I bet when two or three guys get arrested and have a day in court these stealings will STOP!

“Why don’t they install a more advanced security system…”

Well, they already have. The most high-tech state-of-the-art security system is already there. In fact, each patron comes equipped with two of them. They are your arms. If you have to get up, use them to pick up your things and take them with you!

what are you doing in the library that you don’t want a camera to see? I think a solution could be to have cameras covering all the study areas of the library. Once a theft has occurred, the police can then go back and watch it happen. This seems like a no brainer. when you are shopping at any store you are constantly being taped. I don’t know about you but it doesn’t bug me at all.

In response to “re the problem here”, don’t you realize the library is a HUGE building? To have security cameras in every single view would be humanely and financially impossible. It’s different in a store where there is a small space, while the library is huge with a lot of small spaces.

In response to “Kristin” – YOU ROCK.

The hilarious comments posted in response to the Police Briefs are by far, the best part of this paper. Quite simply, laughing at some idiot having their stuff “stolen” after walking away and leaving it unattended or leaving their dorm room unlocked, or vehicle unlocked makes the rest of us feel good about ourselves.

Sweetly put, I love the Police Briefs my favorite place to be. In fact I am even there today. Would love to have you stop by…..

Good points, you always argue them so well…I know you so well,:) Kinda scarey, I hope not! xoxo

This morning has been one of intrigue and mystery for me. The library always seems to brings the best out in me, it is my time with you. I am really learning to write, and I love it. I am going to start to journal, you have woken a new me! I love you for that, thank you. Hope that your day is off to a good start. My day is going well so far but I have to make time to be here because you are very important to me. I understand if you are every to busy, I know you have a demanding life! But I would be lieing if I didn’t say I cherish the time I do get to hear from you, you are so special to me..can’t you see..your are everything I hoped for… your everything I need…you are so special to me! (Keep singing)xoxo