Loyalist security heads up investigation into thefts of college computers

By Joanna Becket

An investigation is now underway into the theft of a total of 13 iMac computers worth $30,000 from the media studies labs at Loyalist College.

The first of the stolen 2010 iMac 21.5-inch desktop computers was reported missing in August, 2011.

An additional seven computers disappeared just prior to the school’s Christmas break, which ran from Dec. 16, 2011 to Jan. 8, 2012.

In the most recent incident that took place on Wednesday, Jan. 31, five iMacs were removed from two separate labs.

The students affected include those in media studies programs that use Mac computers, including art and design, animation, journalism, media experience and photojournalism.

In October 2010, the theft of equipment valued at $150,000 from the Loyalist school of trades program was reported.

“I do know that the (computer) investigation is underway, so I’m hopeful that it will be successful. It should be. But I just don’t know yet,” said Jane Harrison, Loyalist’s dean of media studies.

The iMacs will cost $2,300 each to replace.

“Some good news, though, we ordered replacements,” Harrison said. “We can’t have the students doing without. So that’s a costly thing for the college because the cost of the individual computers is not insignificant, but the deductible for our insurance is quite high.

“So, it hasn’t been a matter of an insurance claim. We’ve had to go into our own funds.”

“The college is aware of the situation. There will be no comment at this time as the matter is under investigation,” said Dianne Spencer, executive director, college advancement and external relations.

The internal investigation began with Gord Horne, the media studies IT, who runs the labs, reporting to security.

The matter is now in the hands of security.

“If they feel it’s warranted and they’ve gathered enough verification that a theft did occur then they will bring the Belleville police into the picture and the police will take over the investigation at that point,” said Harrison.

There have been discussions about what measures should be taken, Horne said. In the labs there are already new security processes in place.

Since December, said Horne, the work study students under his direction check off an online lab check list accounting for every computer, mouse and keyboard, in the four media labs on the second floor, at the beginning and end of every shift. At the end of their shift, they email him the digital file.

“So, that’s how we knew on Jan. 31 when these computers were stolen, that it happened after the person’s shift was complete. It was after 10 o’clock and security on that night had locked all the labs when my tech left for the night. It was after 10 o’clock and all the labs were locked at that time,” said Horne.