BY ANDREA WOO, VANCOUVER SUN
Simon Fraser University is crediting a new "bait laptop" program for cutting computer thefts on campus by more than 30 per cent.
Modelled after the successful bait car program and created in conjunction with the Burnaby RCMP, the bait laptop program involves placing rigged laptops around the campus library. When one is picked up, an alarm sounds and nearby security personnel descend on the thief.
Kiehah Kim, supervisor of patrol operations, said 20 laptops were stolen from SFU's library this year, down from 30 in the same period last year.
"There's over 30 per cent reduction in crime as a result of this program," said Kim. "It's been quite effective, and I think the longer we give the program to take effect, the bigger impact it will have."
No alarms have been triggered since the program began in September, but security personnel believe the posters put up around campus have acted as a deterrent.
"It's a crime-prevention program, not an enforcement program," said Kim. "We try to educate students on not leaving things unattended."
Some students have posted comments under the news release on the university's website expressing concern over being wrongly accused.
"While this sounds like a good idea in theory, there's no way we can find out whether the person who has the laptop is a good Samaritan or a thief," wrote Anthony. "I could easily see a thief claiming to be returning the laptop to a lost and found, and vice versa."
Kim says campus security will investigate each case, but that statistics have shown trends with thieves. "It's not usually students," he said. "It's usually outsiders, like transients or people who are not associated with the university, that come to the campus for the sole purpose of committing crimes."
The bait car program has reduced car thefts in Vancouver by 70 per cent since its inception seven years ago.
PHIL MCCARTEN, REUTERS
Simon Fraser University is crediting a new "bait laptop" program for cutting computer thefts on campus by more than 30 per cent.
Modelled after the successful bait car program and created in conjunction with the Burnaby RCMP, the bait laptop program involves placing rigged laptops around the campus library. When one is picked up, an alarm sounds and nearby security personnel descend on the thief.
Kiehah Kim, supervisor of patrol operations, said 20 laptops were stolen from SFU's library this year, down from 30 in the same period last year.
"There's over 30 per cent reduction in crime as a result of this program," said Kim. "It's been quite effective, and I think the longer we give the program to take effect, the bigger impact it will have."
No alarms have been triggered since the program began in September, but security personnel believe the posters put up around campus have acted as a deterrent.
"It's a crime-prevention program, not an enforcement program," said Kim. "We try to educate students on not leaving things unattended."
Some students have posted comments under the news release on the university's website expressing concern over being wrongly accused.
"While this sounds like a good idea in theory, there's no way we can find out whether the person who has the laptop is a good Samaritan or a thief," wrote Anthony. "I could easily see a thief claiming to be returning the laptop to a lost and found, and vice versa."
Kim says campus security will investigate each case, but that statistics have shown trends with thieves. "It's not usually students," he said. "It's usually outsiders, like transients or people who are not associated with the university, that come to the campus for the sole purpose of committing crimes."
The bait car program has reduced car thefts in Vancouver by 70 per cent since its inception seven years ago.
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