Everybody can use a little extra cash during the holiday season, including criminals. There is a greater potential for university and personal property being stolen during the holiday period and over intersession. You can help prevent thefts by taking the following precautions:
·Keep access to a minimum and know who is supposed to be in your area.
·Issue keys to only those employees who need them and account for them again when the person is no longer employed.
·Report any strange or unusual activities immediately to the police and to your supervisor. Don't be afraid to call; we'd rather check out a suspicious circumstance than investigate a burglary.
·Use a cable lock or other security system to secure computers and other valuable equipment.
·Mark valuables with Operation Identification. It's university policy.
·Lock office and lab doors when not in use, even if leaving for a "moment."
·Purses and other valuable items should be kept in a locked desk, file cabinet, locker or closet.
·Don't carry large amounts of cash to work with you.
·Petty cash should not be more than $25 and should be secured in a locked safe.
·Extra keys should be secured in a key lock box, not kept in a desk drawer.
·Computer information should be backed up to a disk frequently. This could prevent the loss of valuable work in the event your computer is stolen.
·Confidential information should be locked up at the end of the day.
·Contact the Cornell Police, at 5-1111, promptly if a burglary has been discovered.