[Rooftops] Fwd: Fw: Unarmed Robbery - Kendall Square area

[Jim Youll]

IMHO...

I believe this recent robbery in Kendall Square illustrates one of the two primary reasons people will never use expensive, visible-to-others computers for wireless Internet access in public spaces. It's not just the risk of being seen and then robbed that must be taken into consideration, but also the danger that arises from focusing much of one's attention on the private world of the device, and not quite enough on the surroundings. A similar risk is that of stepping into traffic whilst crossing a street and talking on a cell phone. 

Those of us who work in indoor public spaces (primarily coffeeshops I suppose) are must consider this new risk as well, but I think it's somewhat less a problem, as "attention to surroundings" is needed *after* the laptop has been put away in that case.

The other of the two reasons is that it's either too bright, too hot or too cold to be outside with a computer in most places on the planet.



>Subject: Fw: Unarmed Robbery - Kendall Square area
>Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 12:37:58 -0500
>             Cheryl Vossmer                                               
>             <crimbite at MIT.EDU>                                                         
>                           CRIME ALERT BULLETIN
>                           MIT POLICE DEPARTMENT
>                       Issue Date: November 7, 2003
>
>        On Monday, November 17,  2003, at approximately 7:50 P.M. an MIT
>student was the victim of an unarmed robbery, which occurred on
>Dock Street, in Kendall Square as he exited the "T". He had been using his
>laptop computer while on the train and believes the suspects followed him
>off the train.
>
>         The victim reported that a suspect approached him from behind and
>pushed him to the ground. Suspects then fled with the victims backpack
>which contained his laptop computer. One suspect told him "Be quiet, do you
>want to die?"
>
>         The victim describes the suspects as follows: four males, all
>wearing dark clothing , 19 - 22 years of age. He was unable to provide any
>further description.
>
>         Cambridge Police and The Police at MIT searched the area with
>negative results. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cambridge
>Police
>Detectives at 349-3370.
>
>         The Police at MIT Crime Prevention Unit suggests the following
>safety precautions:
>        *       While on public transportation pay attention to your
>surroundings. Know the location of emergency telephones.
>
>        *       If you are reading or utilizing electronic devices put your
>book or paper down and look around paying attention to patrons who
>enter/exit the train.