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Protect Your Property

Protecting Personal and MIT Property (From MIT Public Safety Manual)

• NEVER leave personal backpacks, laptops, or MP3 players unattended, whether you are in an office, lab, dorm room, or library. Regardless of how long you will be gone, even a couple of minutes, unwatched articles invite thieves — especially if you fall asleep in an area such as the Student Center.
• Remember that wallets, backpacks, laptops, and purses are prime targets for the “hit and run” thief. Keep them with you at all times.
• Thieves also are attracted to valuables left unattended in a car. If you must leave your belongings in your car, lock them out of sight in your trunk before you arrive at your final destination.
• LOCK your doors and windows when you leave your office, laboratory, or residence. Most of the thefts in the Institute occur when areas are left unlocked or are not securely locked.
• The doors and windows at MIT have locks. USE THEM!! Some dorm windows have “vent” locks to prevent the window from opening wide — but allowing for air circulation.
• DO immediately report defective locks.
• DO lock your doors when you go to bed. When some students did not lock their doors, they awakened to find strangers going through their belongings.
• DO NOT prop open self-locking doors.
• DO NOT leave notes on your door advertising your absence or when you will return.
• DO NOT leave keys in your robe or clothing when you take a shower.
• Athletics facilities are not immune to thieves. Do not bring valuables — such as expensive watches, jewelry, and wallets with cash or credit cards — with you when you exercise. If you must, lock clothing in your locker and check valuables at the equipment desk. This is especially true of backpacks left on the fields while you are playing.
• Any department or person considering the purchase of computer equipment, computer components, digital cameras, or other expensive office equipment is strongly urged to consider purchasing an anti-theft system for the equipment. Consult the MIT Police Crime Prevention Unit for anti-theft system information.
• If you have expensive portable office equipment that cannot be locked down, keep it in a locked cabinet when not in use.

Bicycle Theft (From MIT Public Safety Manual)

• Bicycle theft is a lucrative campus crime. You should safeguard your bicycle by using a heavy-duty locking device and securing your bicycle through both wheels and around the frame to an immovable object. Cables and chains are easily defeated.
• The MIT Police Crime Prevention Unit recommends you take the following steps to prevent the loss of your bicycle:
• Use a high-security U-lock. Place the key end as close to the ground as possible or secure the lock cover with your bicycle helmet, and/or both. You should spend 10 percent of the value of your bicycle on a lock.
• Anchor BOTH wheels and frame to a stationary object.
• If you use a chain or cable, remember, they are easily cut.
• Register your bike. Members of the MIT Community can now register their bicycles with the MIT Parking and Transportation Office. Bike registration must be done online using the form on their site. After you complete this form, a bicycle registration sticker will be mailed to your campus address. There is no fee for this service. For online registration: < http://web.mit.edu/cp/www/bike_registration.htm >.
• Use the bicycle compound at the rear of Building 13. This compound operates on a card-key system (cards are available at MIT Police headquarters for a small fee), and is available to any member of the MIT community.
• Secure your bicycle in a well-traveled area, and lock it at ALL times.

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