The Clarion

Issue date: 8/24/09 Section: News

The rash of laptop thefts has ceased, however with the new semester here the threat may not be over. From January through early April thieves lifted 42 laptops in three hits with the total price of the stolen merchandise around $54,600. Madison Area Technical College's security and Madison police have yet to catch who is responsible.

According to Chief of Security James Bottoni, the police and MATC security have been working closely together to crack this case, although he couldn't disclose much information due to the ongoing investigation, he stressed the fact that they are making progress and have leads for more than one suspect.

In the meantime, new measures have been taken to prevent further thefts and this semester will tell whether these efforts are in vain. The Technology Services department has taken more precautions when checking out equipment, like swapping out laptops for desktop PCs on media carts for staff, updating drive shield software and tediously checking all equipment inventories.

Chief Bottoni assures that security is working closely with Technology Services with new strategies to keep the schools equipment safe considering the schools camera system has not been helpful with the investigation. Another option of putting a tracking device on all equipment is now under consideration since the thieves were able to cut wire security cables and smash the battery powered alarms.

Luckily students can rest a little easier considering it has been mainly school property filched; only two student laptops where reported stolen for the 2009 spring semester, yet chief Bottoni said in a Wisconsin State Journal article back in April that the thieves "are getting more bold." This doesn't mean you will see more security guards patrolling the campus, you may see them making more rounds, but chief Bottoni doesn't want to clog the hallways and make students uneasy.

Another worry is who pays for the pilfered equipment. A property Theft and Damage report found online reads that for all property stolen worth more than $100, the extra money will be covered by a self insurance fund; the department from where the equipment is lifted is responsible for the first $100. The laptops are worth $1,300 dollars each.

Since, as of yet, no arrests have been made, those responsible could still be wandering around the Truax or Downtown campuses looking for another chance to pocket school or student property. The likelihood of this is high considering FBI research shows that 85% of crime is internal, according to chief Bottoni. Even if this is an inside job, it looks like MATC Security can use any information on who is behind these crimes.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools