http://www.statenews.com During the next week we’re going to see a story or two like Laptop stolen in library (SN 4/21) every day, since everyone who’s never in the library will be there studying for finals. en-us Gryphon 2.2.3b-tsn (woodward)/Foundry5 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:59:16 -0400 webmaster@statenews.com http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38735 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. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:11:30 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38735 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38740 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. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:54:45 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38740 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38743 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. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:21:04 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38743 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38745 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! Wed, 22 Apr 2009 01:23:42 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38745 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38757 Wait, there are security cameras in the library? Since when? Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:05:09 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38757 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38758 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! Wed, 22 Apr 2009 08:13:24 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38758 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38765 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. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 09:06:41 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38765 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38790 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… Wed, 22 Apr 2009 10:48:07 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38790 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38793 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. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:40:24 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38793 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38846 George wins. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:51:31 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38846 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38859 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! Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:59:49 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38859 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38867 “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. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 16:35:33 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38867 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38888 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! Wed, 22 Apr 2009 18:42:34 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38888 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38917 “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! Thu, 23 Apr 2009 01:52:08 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38917 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38997 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. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:40:36 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/38997 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39027 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. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 19:51:50 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39027 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39150 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. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 10:49:41 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39150 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39160 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….. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:30:27 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39160 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39163 Good points, you always argue them so well…I know you so well,:) Kinda scarey, I hope not! xoxo Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:48:04 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39163 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39165 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 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:59:16 -0400 http://www.statenews.com/index.php/comment/view/39165