FAHA: What to do about a theft problem?

[Ken Leung]

FIRST is like the real world on training wheels, unfortunately once in a while teams still have to deal with real world issues such as the problem faced by this team in the following message. Take a look.

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Our team is having a problem with team members stealing items from our work area. So far we have lost almost $500 of stuff. This includes actual items that came in the kit, raw materials, components from our team's computers, and a $200 box of safety glasses.

We have grown alot since last year and I don't know all of the new kids as well as I do the old ones, so I don't have any clue who it could be. Our lead mentor wanted to cancel robotics altogether today, but I think I convinced him not to.

We need help. Does anyone have any suggestions for preventing this behavior in the future or for catching the student(s)? I would hate to punish the whole group by ending the team...