While students were away for winter break, the empty buildings of Alfiero and Jacobs received unwanted visitors. Burglars stole approximately 25 computer monitors and two computers from different offices in these buildings sometime between Dec. 11 and Dec. 18, shortly after the fall semester ended.
For spring break, the University Police Department (UPD) is boosting security for these buildings to prevent any further losses.
"In terms of securing the building, UPD will increase patrols over spring break, as they have been doing since December," said Lawrence D. Michael, assistant dean for the School of Management.
The school, which is based in both buildings, is also taking extra precautions over spring break to ensure the safety and security of the possessions inside their Alfiero and Jacobs offices, Michael explained.
The school is waiting for cost estimates for security devices as well, Michael explained. Even with these extra measures, Michael suggests that individuals take home any valuable personal property.
Police are still working on the cases from December and are currently assessing video surveillance of the area, which could contain valuable information pertaining to this case.
"We probably can break the case if some of the stolen property shows up somewhere, which it usually does," said Gerald Schoenle, chief of University Police.
Police have not identified any suspects at this time. However, it is clear the individual or individuals who stole the equipment had access to the building, as there was no forced entry, Schoenle explained.
"This was a crime of opportunity, and was one of the biggest burglaries to occur on campus," Schoenle said. "UB doesn't have very large scale burglaries, so this was an unusual event."
Brendan James Gilbert, a JD/MBA candidate and president of the MIS Association, had nothing stolen during the burglaries last semester. However, he was the victim of a burglary in May 2007, which closely resembles the December occurrence. Gilbert's laptop was stolen from his Alfiero office, with no signs of forced entry, and like the computers stolen in December, has not been recovered.
"I thought most laptop thefts were accidental, such as leaving a laptop unwatched at the library for a few minutes," Gilbert said. "I never thought an event like this would occur under lock and key."
Gilbert believes that overall campus security is adequate, but he believes that more cameras would be beneficial to the university.
Following the break-ins at Alfiero and Jacobs, police officers with specialized training in crime prevention performed a survey on the buildings to enhance security, Schoenle explained.
University police recently hired a security consultant on South Campus who is reviewing ways to enhance the security systems. The security consultant recommended several security features, such as a card access system on all buildings, Schoenle said.
The consultant also recommended designated managers for each building, which the Department of Environment, Health & Safety has already begun working on. UB Facilities plans to replicate the study on North Campus after the South Campus study is complete, according to Schoenle.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
