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Conference wecare::zko_suggestion_box

Title:ZKO site general conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::SILVER
Created:Wed Jan 29 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:480
Total number of notes:3809

479.0. "Grand theft in ZKO2" by CLUSTA::HALL (Bill Hall - ACMS Engineering - ZKO2-2) Wed May 07 1997 00:29

    
    Someone last night at 18:27 ripped 9 of our RZ29's out of our
    SW500 cabinet located in the ZKO2-2 lab.  Besides the 2 user
    disks, they took an Alpha V7.1 system disk, our public disk,
    our work disk and the disk that contained all the sources
    and listings of our current SSB submission.
    
    This occured while the other half of the lab was being cleaned
    out (previously occupied by Oracle) and the doors wre propped
    wide open.  The disks were not labeled, the thiefs just emptied
    the 2 lower shelves of the SW500.
    
    Today, we went in to lock the rest of the SW500's and the new
    turbo lasers we have.  Suprise, suprise...all the locks are
    keyed alike.  Some security.  We now have 12 identical keys.
    
    I think my next trip is going to be to Home Depot for some
    hasps and padlocks.
    
    This little theft only cost Digital $36K for lost hardware,
    8 man-days of lost work, the cost of restoring the data, and
    the unknown cost of losing a set of sources.
    
    I'm disgusted!
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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479.1HNDYMN::MCCARTHYA Quinn Martin ProductionWed May 07 1997 12:3325
>>    This occured while the other half of the lab was being cleaned
>>    out (previously occupied by Oracle) and the doors wre propped
>>    wide open.  

   [ snip ] 

>>    This little theft only cost Digital $36K for lost hardware,


Submit the bill to facilities for failure to provide security - don't 
hold your breath waiting for the check.

When things (forget what) were stolen out of zk3, a fire alarm was set off 
which released all the doors which are on keycards so anyone could have 
walked in and grab what ever was taken (several years ago now).

Once in a while memory is swiped out of PCs around here (zk23) but its been a
while since I heard of that happening.

>>    I'm disgusted!

As you should be.

bjm
479.2TLE::REAGANAll of this chaos makes perfect senseWed May 07 1997 13:203
    Hmmm...  Our group just had 4 speakerphones disappear the other day.
    
    				-John
479.3Sighting?DECCXX::AMARTINAlan H. MartinWed May 07 1997 15:067
Re .2:

>    Hmmm...  Our group just had 4 speakerphones disappear the other day.

There's been at least one "mahogany UFO"-style speakerphone lying in a tangled
pile in Euclid since yesterday.
				/AHM
479.4More disk theftsQUARRY::reevesJon Reeves, UNIX compiler groupWed May 07 1997 16:272
There were at least two machines in the ZKO3-3 (or ZKO3-2, not sure) labs that
lost disks yesterday as well.
479.5MAYTAG::PELLANDWed May 07 1997 19:454
    
    Like Security is going to doing anything about it.
    
    sigh...
479.6TLE::REAGANAll of this chaos makes perfect senseWed May 07 1997 19:514
    Yeah, apparently when our secretary called security about our missing
    speakerphones, the response was a "Yeah, so?" type of response.
    
    				-John
479.7which?TALER::UFTRINGMichael UftringWed May 07 1997 20:009
From The American Heritage Dictionary:

    security --- n., 1. Safety.  2. Confidence.  3. Something that gives or
        assures safety.  4. Something deposited or given as assurance of
        the fulfillment of an obligation; pledge.  5. A stock or bond.
        6. Measures adopted to guard against attack, theft, or disclosure.


Which is ours?
479.8MAYTAG::PELLANDWed May 07 1997 20:1517
    
    re: 479.6
    
    I believe it.
    
    It's most likely the same response you'll get from them when you
    tell them that your car has been stolen.
    
    I heard that a car in ZKO2 was stolen this week and last week
    a car was stolen in ZKO3.
    
    RE: Security guards;
    Oh yeah..let's keep hiring these 18 yr old rent-a-cops for eight
    bucks an hour.  I really feel secure...
    
    
    -Chris
479.9TLE::REAGANAll of this chaos makes perfect senseWed May 07 1997 20:385
    RE: .7
    
    Do I get any other choices? :-(
    
    				-John
479.10TLE::LUCIAhttp://asaab.zko.dec.com/~lucia/biography.htmlWed May 07 1997 21:205
Sadly enough, I think "5. A stock or bond" applies best.  Sherlock Holmes said
"once you have eliminated the impossible, what remains, however improbable must
be true" (or something close to that)

I ought to try bringing my bike in again.
479.11Smart PersonZEKE::KEITHDefender of CCSThu May 08 1997 14:155
    
     What really bothers/scares me about this is that they do not seem to
    take junk. I.E. they are someone who knows what they are stealing.
    
    Keith
479.12DRAGN::BOURQUARDThis is not hereThu May 08 1997 19:385
So, regarding the car thefts, is there a particular lot that's more susceptible
to this?  I'd assume that the further you park from the building the more
likely it is.  

Dan
479.13As we say in our group, "D" is for DangerDECCXX::AMARTINAlan H. MartinThu May 08 1997 20:147
Re .12:

>So, regarding the car thefts, is there a particular lot that's more susceptible
>to this?

5 of the last 6 cars were stolen from D lot.
				/AHM
479.14See also Note 247 for auto theft detailsDECC::SULLIVANJeff SullivanThu May 08 1997 22:0812
Mine was "H"it in H, although I foiled the thieves (see 247.14 for my details).

I wish there was more public info on the details of these thefts/breakins. I
think the more we know, the better we can protect ourselves.

I now park in a lot that is farther away from the main road and more visible
from ZK3. Not that I or anyone watches over it, but (in theory), they are less
likely to hit if they can be seen.

-Jeff

 
479.15anything stopping a public forum?HNDYMN::MCCARTHYA Quinn Martin ProductionThu May 08 1997 23:5612
>I wish there was more public info on the details of these thefts/breakins. I
>think the more we know, the better we can protect ourselves.

Lets see, a web page "Where not to park at ZKO".  Get one of the many pilots
in the facility to buzz the place to get some air shots, then put a little
cgi script behind the scanned image that could dump out %age of cars 
stolen from what ever area the pointer is over :-)


Or we could start an unofficial "My Car was Ripped off" topic here.  

Brian
479.16TLE::D_SMITHDuane Smith -- DEC C RTLFri May 09 1997 01:374
    I would like to see such a note.  I just hope I don't have to put a
    reply in it.  Actually, I wish nobody would have to reply.
    
    
479.17My storyTALER::UFTRINGMichael UftringFri May 09 1997 14:3523
My car was equipped with the LoJack Alert and Retrieve.

The second time my car was stolen the theives had enough time to
pop the hood, rip out the horn and throw it on the grass.

Different theft protection is useful for different types of thieves.
The audible alarms tend to scare away the joy-riders but not the
parts seekers. The Club tends to scare away the under-equipped thieves,
the ones without a hack saw.

Theft prevention equipment does two things for the car owner: 1) yields
a discount on insurance premiums, 2) gives false sense of safety and
protection. Any security and police force does #2 also.

The best way to prevent your car from being stolen is to mechanically
or electronically disable your car everytime you park it.

By the way --- there is no parking lot that is safer than any other.

By the way --- the "best" time to swipe a car is around 2pm.


-Mike
479.18TLE::LUCIAhttp://asaab.zko.dec.com/~lucia/biography.htmlFri May 09 1997 17:0010
Why 2pm?  Everyone is back from lunch, nobody is arriving at work, and it is too
early to be leaving for the day, therefore, nobody is in the lot?


If thefts are up, why is security not telling us this???  Hmm?  I'm now afraid
to leave my bike on my roof, even though it is locked.  It is a PIA to
disassemble it for putting in the trunk, but I may start doing so if it's likely
to get stolen.  Or, I'll start riding here and bringing it inside.

Tim
479.19I wouldn't steal it -- I've got one! ;-)WTFN::SCALESDespair is appropriate and inevitable.Fri May 09 1997 17:1811
Tim, why would they steal you're bike?  No thief probably knows what it's worth;
there's probably no black market for bicycles; and I doubt any thief would have
much fun riding it... (it'd have to be a biggish thief... ;-).

.18> I'll start riding here and bringing it inside.

THAT's what I want to do...just as soon as I get a chance to get into that kind
of shape...  ;-) ;-)


				Webb
479.20MAYTAG::PELLANDFri May 09 1997 19:0223
    
    2:00pm sounds about right..everyone is back from lunch, security is
    snoozin' in the back room (you know, the room that has all the
    security monitors that noone pays attention to) and our cars are up for
    grabs and on their way to Lawrence to be stripped, burned or used
    in a robbery.
    
    I did see the blue security car parked in the 'D' lot this morning
    (and every morning this week).  If I were a robber/crackhead, I
    probably would not want to risk ripping off someone's car in the
    morning, during lunch and right before the end of the work day
    in fear of getting caught.  Early afternoon would probably be 
    prime time.  That's when security should be parked there and driving
    around.  Has anyone noticed security in the ZKO2 lots around the
    early afternoon?  Just curious. 
    
    I heard that 'The Club' has come out with a club that gives the
    thief an electrical shock when they try to disarm it.  
    So then the thief gets 'shocked' while trying to steal your car,
    gets a lawyer and then sues you for pain and suffering.
    Only in America...
    
    
479.21PACKED::QUARRY::nethCraig NethFri May 09 1997 20:117
> Has anyone noticed security in the ZKO2 lots around the
>    early afternoon?

Yup, the blue Taurus has been pretty conspicious the last few weeks, especially
in the afternoon.    I saw him cruising around ZK3 about 2:30 today...


479.22TLE::LUCIAhttp://asaab.zko.dec.com/~lucia/biography.htmlTue May 13 1997 15:2311
Actually, there is a black market for bike parts.  Several "nice" bikes have had
the frames cut or the Dura Ace/Campy Record components removed.  If they can't
get the bike, frame and all, they will go after the parts.

I think this is more of a problem in Boston, and for commuters who may leave
there bike at the T for the day.

The absolute best solution (that I've heard of) is to ride a fixed-gear.  The
thief that steals this is in for a big surprise!!

Tim
479.23Can't drive home, but I won't be hungryHNDYMN::MCCARTHYA Quinn Martin ProductionThu May 15 1997 20:476
I thought it humorous that the past two days there have been guards at the 
cafe "guarding" the "customer visit" food.

The man-power is around, its just applied incorrectly.

bjm
479.24RUSURE::MELVINTen Zero, Eleven Zero Zero by Zero 2Fri May 16 1997 04:3511
>       <<< Note 479.23 by HNDYMN::MCCARTHY "A Quinn Martin Production" >>>
>                  -< Can't drive home, but I won't be hungry >-

>I thought it humorous that the past two days there have been guards at the 
>cafe "guarding" the "customer visit" food.


Any idea when that 'valuable' seating space is going to go back to the employees
for their use?  It really was humorous... And the guard look so SERIOUS!!!

-Joe
479.25Watch?TALER::UFTRINGMichael UftringFri May 16 1997 15:5411
Maybe we should setup a parking lot crime watch program?

Everyone can take turns on two hour shifts watching the parking lots. 
It would be just like neighbors taking turns watching the neighborhood. 
Maybe we can get the company to pay for high-tech radio gear that will 
hook directly into the Nashua PD. We could try talking to ZKO Security, 
but what happens when their radios break? My take is that we would
wind up being SOL again.


-Mike
479.26Brian, what was that about application of resources? 8-)WTFN::SCALESDespair is appropriate and inevitable.Fri May 16 1997 17:129
re .25:  

Y'know, maybe we could enlist the folks who smoke...they are out there anyway.


			:-)


				Webb
479.27DECCXL::WIBECANThat's the way it is, in Engineering!Fri May 16 1997 18:073
We could hold all the customer buffets in the parking lots...

						Brian
479.28Small Matter Of Posthole-diggingDECCXX::AMARTINAlan H. MartinFri May 16 1997 18:525
Re .26:

The ZK2 outdoors Designated Smoking Area is by the benches at the D/E driveway -
just move the sign into the middle of D lot.
				/AHM
479.29if it was only that easyHNDYMN::MCCARTHYA Quinn Martin ProductionFri May 16 1997 18:546
>>The ZK2 outdoors Designated Smoking Area is by the benches at the D/E driveway -
>>just move the sign into the middle of D lot.

"They" don't read that sign anyway, except on nice sunny, warm days.

bjm
479.30We could move the parking lots closer...WTFN::SCALESDespair is appropriate and inevitable.Fri May 16 1997 20:208
.29> The ZK2 outdoors Designated Smoking Area is by the benches at the D/E 
.29> driveway - just move the sign into the middle of D lot.

Um, you'd have to move the benches, too.  (And moving the ashtrays would also be
good... ;-)


				Webb
479.31TLE::D_SMITHDuane Smith -- DEC C RTLSun May 18 1997 01:1716
    Perhaps you anti-smokers would be kind enough to point out which cars
    are yours so that we can notify you as we see someone else drive it off
    the lot.  8-)
    
    I believe that Digital is neglegent in their lack of response to the
    car theft problem.  I believe that everyone would do their best to
    report suspicious activity if they are made aware of the situation. 
    Notes such as this raise awareness only to those who read this notes
    conference.  Perhaps this note or another could be used to offer
    suggestions in dealing with the thefts.
    
    I would offer that they block all parking lot entrances to lot D which
    would force the thieves to drive past the smoking area to escape.  I 
    would volunteer to block half the entry with my pickup truck.
    
    Duane
479.32Grand theft == Darwinian selection?WTFN::SCALESDespair is appropriate and inevitable.Mon May 19 1997 14:166
.31> I would volunteer to block half the entry with my pickup truck.

At least you'd be sure to get a parking space that way...  ;-)


				Webb
479.33Not much action at SandersIFDL::PELLANDMon May 19 1997 17:2214
    
    
    I know someone who works at Lockheed/Sanders on Spit Brook Road
    (she works in the facilities organization).  I asked her if there
    was a lot of activity with car thefts there and she said that it
    hasn't been too bad at all.  Most likely because their security
    officers probably have 'working' cameras and actually looking 
    out for car theives.  Apparently, Sanders is very strict with
    their parking, etc.  If you are parked where you are not supposed
    to be, they will call you and tell you that you have 15 minutes
    to remove your car or it will be towed.  They also do this in
    LKG.  Why can't they do it here at ZKO?  What really ticks me
    off is the inconsiderate morons who park in the DCU parking area.
    Now they should be towed..but that's another note. ;-)
479.34NETCAD::MORRISONBob M. LKG2-A/R5 226-7570Thu May 22 1997 21:1420
>    hasn't been too bad at all.  Most likely because their security
>    officers probably have 'working' cameras and actually looking 
>    out for car theives.  Apparently, Sanders is very strict with
>    their parking, etc.
  This is probably because they are a military contractor and therefore can
justify large expenditures for security. I had a similar experience when I
went to Raytheon for an interview 20 years ago.

>   If you are parked where you are not supposed
>   to be, they will call you and tell you that you have 15 minutes
>   to remove your car or it will be towed.  They also do this in
>   LKG.

  They must not do this at LKG often, because I have never heard any reports
of it happening. And whenever I walk thru the parking lots during the day, I
see several cars parked in tow zones.
  Can anyone familiar with LKG answer this: If your car is not registered with 
LKG security and it is parked in a tow zone, do they try to find the owner
before towing? I estimate that less than half the cars parked at LKG are 
registered with LKG security.
479.35Maybe they just contact people in the 'Fire Lane'?IFDL::PELLANDFri May 23 1997 16:3816
    
    
    I go to the LKG facility on Thursday's.  One of the admin. people
    parked her car in a restricted area (it must have been the 'fire
    zone') and security called her to tell her to move her car but she
    was not in the office at the time.  Security then called her 
    cost center manager letting him know that if she did not move her
    car in the next 15 minutes that they would have it towed.  We did
    end up finding her and she moved her car.  This was about a month
    a half ago.
    
    It is brutal trying to find a parking space at LKG within a 3 mile
    radius from the building.  I've seen cars parked on snowbanks and
    between trees there.
    
    FWIW
479.36NOTIME::SACKSGerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085Fri May 23 1997 16:481
Perhaps they have stricter rules for fire zones than for other forbidden areas.