FAHA: What to do about a theft problem?

[Jay H 237]

Is it possible in the future to "issue" the supplies or equipment to the team member who needs it or asks for it? For instance our team has an IBM and two Compaq laptops used for design and programing and if a student or adult wants to use them they have to check them out and they become responsible for them until they're checked back in. Unfortunately it's also a pain or impossible to do for smaller stuff like screwdrivers, or wrenchs but a good idea for high priced and difficult to replace stuff. Another suggestion would be could you put a camera by the entrance/exit where you meet. You could even put a "dummy" camera there and not tell them that it's fake, all it has to do is get them thinking that they might get caught. Also is there enough supervision in your work area? From what you mentioned it sounds like they're taking the stuff for the thrill or, like was mentioned above, to pawn it. I can't figure out what someone would want $200 worth of safety glasses for.

[Avarik]

Lock up everything and everything, and give one of each key to the leader of each team. That way, you will always have someone with keys around, and you can then monitor things fairly well without needing to bother adults.

[tenfour]

I would say that you need to enact a typr of honor code and back it up with consequences. This problem has real consequences in that you won't have a robot if you don't have the right tools.

[Pierson]

We have 2 locking cabinets in our room, 1 for the kit of parts and the other for general misc. but very important stuff. We also have locks on our electronics cab.

We have bylaws and policies and each year every team member needs to sign our team contract which states that they agree to all our our bylaws, policies, school rules, and all other government rules.

We had to suspend 3 members for 2 days this year for hacking into our of our wonderful graphics computers.

[adventrx327]

I feel lucky that I or anyone else on our team hasnt gotten stolen from (except for a few bucks i left out in our hotel for regionals that the cleaners might have thought was a tip ) A thief doesnt belong in robotics club. period.

Just like paintballing, equipment is expensive, and it is often necessary for teams to bend over backwards to raise enough money just for one regional.

Oh, and this may sound wrong, but at least the people stole from the club and NOT individuals (this way the school could take legal action blah blah blah)

[Nick Mac]

[quote=Peciv]We have bylaws and policies and each year every team member needs to sign our team contract which states that they agree to all our our bylaws, policies, school rules, and all other government rules.QUOTE]

That's actually a real good idea. In school when we get take home tests or projects or something of the like, each student must sign a slip saying that they have not cheated on the test past or present. If they violate their signature, a suspension from school is mandatory...to my knowledge, not one kid that signs that sheet has ever cheated. I definitely like the idea of locked storage areas...I guess my team is extremely lucky because i don't know of anything like this happening to us. I didn't realize that there were problems like this in FIRST. It's a shame really.

[Denman]

I feel quite lucky that we do not have this sort of problem here. As we are all 16-18 year olds, and there are only 20 or so of us, therefore , generally there is an air of trust. Its a shame that you have to resot to this sort of thing. It is true that if you start threatening action, they will usually own up, but it will also make them more rebellious and try again and with more determination. Basically, the only way as far as i see is to enforce that all students to log what they use, to get permissions and to sign lots of legal documents. If this doesn't stop, i would suggest reducing that only a trusted few have access to the tools / materials for the build period.