Posted by
Smith, Benjamin E. on
URL: http://confocal-microscopy-list.275.s1.nabble.com/Is-theft-a-problem-tp7584166p7584167.html
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After some laptops were stolen from the room next door, I installed a security camera in an obvious position in each room and have a clearly posted sign about the camera on the door. I figure this is much more effective as a deterrent than a way to catch thieves, which is ideal in my book, as I'd rather not have stuff disappear in the first place.
While I have not had to use the cameras to catch thieves, it has proved rather effective at catching people who are not checked-out on the equipment trying to sneak in late at night to use it. This alone helped me troubleshoot why one of our microscopes was in such a poor state. I also guess this would constitute a theft of service, as they weren't logging their time either.
In general, theft rates vary greatly from institution to institution. However, the fact that thefts may be rare at your facility is little consolation when a $20,000 objective or $10,000 server wanders off unexpectedly.
Cheers,
Ben Smith
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From: Confocal Microscopy List [
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Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 8:55 AM
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Subject: Is theft a problem?
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I'd like to tap once more the experience of you listers.
I am currently setting up a web site for a core facility and I am
wondering how much details I really want to have on the web.
On the one hand, the more information the users can easily find the
better, whether for planning of experiments or when writing the paper.
On the other hand, it is usually discouraged to publicly announce in
which room exactly which valuables can be found - and stolen.
So the question comes up whether theft of microscopes or parts is not
only a theoretical problem but also an actual risk. I don't expect a
confocal to get carried out without being noticed, not even on a
Saturday night, but possibly parts of it? Objectives, cameras maybe? Or
smaller, portable systems?
I remember one case of stolen objectives in Darmstadt, Germany, that was
discussed on this list in 2000 (*Subject:*used high quality objectives).
But other than that, I have not heard about any thefts.
Therefore I would like to ask whether you have experienced or heard of
other cases.
Steffen
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Steffen Dietzel, PD Dr. rer. nat
Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
Walter-Brendel-Zentrum für experimentelle Medizin (WBex)
Head of light microscopy
Marchioninistr. 27
D-81377 München
Germany