[Entm-researchstaff] Suspicious activity (again)

[Rick Redak]

All, We may have another vagrant hanging around the building after hours.
If you were here 5 years ago, we seem to be falling into familiar
territory.  Food left in common areas outside labs  (like lunches, etc) is
disappearing.  Last time this happened, things got worse; keys and money
started disappearing from desks.  It eventually led to computer theft.  We
had cameras set up in certain hard hit labs and actually caught the person
on video.  By the time the police believed us and caught the person (over
in Geology), he had full sets of keys, including masters, for Entomology,
Batchelor Hall, Geology, and parts of Bourns (if memory serves). The guy
was a homeless gamer who came into the building right before closing time.

He looked like a student (hoodie, backpack, etc) and would hang out at the
conference tables appearing to study until 2-4 a.m.  The custodial  staff
figured he was a student.  At around 2-4 a.m. he would cruise the halls
checking for open offices and labs while helping himself to food and drink
from the refrigerators.  If he found access to offices or labs, he would
carefully rifle through desks looking for money and more keys.  More keys
meant more access. He would spend most of his time (we think) playing
computer games until the wee hours on lab computers.  He finally noticed
that Trumble's lab had put up surveillance cameras. He simply blocked out
the cameras and proceeded to steal a high priced computer that he was
playing games on.

So, I need everyone to step up their security game.  Doors are to be
locked, spare keys stored securely, and if you see ANYBODY unfamiliar to
you, maybe ask them who they are and what lab they are associated with.  If
the answer doesn't feel right, smile, walk away, and call the police right
away.  Do not try and detain or interact with strangers other than asking
them who they are and if you can help them.  If you are uncomfortable with
asking, just call the police and report an unauthorized person skulking
around the building.  Last time, we were reporting our intruder to the
police every day. The refused to actually stake out the place and only
increased patrols down the street. Go figure.

Rick Redak, Professor & Chair
Department of Entomology
University of California
Riverside, CA 92526
951-295-3930 (Cell)
951-827-7250 (Office)
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