Ypsilanti community center staff after theft of 10 computers: 'It broke our spirit'
Thieves broke into the Parkridge Community Center in Ypsilanti and stole $20,000 worth of computers Saturday.
Courtesy of the city of Ypsilanti
Thieves didn't just swipe $20,000 worth of brand new computers from Ypsilanti's Parkridge Community Center Saturday, they also stole a little of the center's spirit, a staff member said.
"There were actually some people crying," said Michael Randall, a staff member at the center, about how people there reacted to the break-in. "It really has broken the morale around this place. It broke our spirit."
Police believe multiple suspects broke into the center through an open window to take 10 computers at some point from when the center closed at 8 p.m. Friday and when a janitor discovered the missing computers at 6:30 a.m. Saturday, said Ypsilanti police Sgt. Thomas Eberts.
The theft is a sour note in what have been positive times for the center, Randall said, including a $2.5 million expansion project planned for 2014.
The new computers were part of that upswing. Parkridge only acquired the iMacs from Washtenaw Community College two months ago, replacing the old Dells in the computer lab, Randall said, adding that WCC's Community Enrichment program operates the center. The top-shelf computers were regarded with pride at the center, which is used by many of the children who live in nearby low-income housing on Ypsilanti's south side, according to Randall.
“It was a really shining moment when we got those computers,” he said.
The lab was used mostly by about 35-45 kids involved in an after-school program, but also by adults doing things like filling out job applications during the day.
With the school year almost over, the center is preparing for summer literacy programs that will bring even more children into the lab, which is currently devoid of any computers. In the meantime, staff members are finding different activities for children after school as the center waits for new computers. The iMacs were insured and Parkridge should be getting new units from WCC soon, Randall said.
But that didn't lessen the shock the staff members felt when they discovered the theft.
"I was floored," Randall said. "It was horrible."
Crime Stoppers is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Eberts said detectives were in the general vicinity of the center handing out reward fliers Thursday.
“We’re hoping the reward money triggers somebody’s memory,” he added.
Troyfontaine Macon, the Washtenaw County director for Crime Stoppers of Michigan, stated in a release that he was concerned the kids will run into trouble.
"Those computers are intended for children in the community to do homework, learn and have refuge in a safe place," he wrote. "I ... am concerned that if kids don't have reliable resources and constructive places that support their development like Parkridge, they will be unstimulated and bored."
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Ypsilanti Police Department (734) 483-9510, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.
John Counts covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at johncounts@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
mady
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:59 p.m.
Guys, I know that what happened to you was horrible, and you are completely right to be upset, but I'm hoping that in time your morale will revive. please don't let these dirtbags kill your spirit. don't let the you-know-what's win!! @citywatch, you're right that the snarky comments don't help, unfortunately, to quote Rod Stewart, "Some guys do nothin' but complain!"
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 4:16 p.m.
Who's complaining? There will be 2.5 million dollars sunk into this place. It would be kinda a good idea to make sure it's secured. That's not snarky, it's common sense.
sheepyd
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 5:06 a.m.
As some posters have alluded to; these cases are often solved with a little effort. Pawn shops, craigslist, ebay, etc.... The police know the local gas stations and businesses that fence stolen goods. As with most things it comes down to effort and time. Some agencies have the resources to pour into a case like this, some do not. I hope for the community center's sake YPD gives this one an honest effort. Interesting to find out if any of the IMACS have any tracking software; most do now. Good luck to the officers investigating, a shame that if they do make arrests the liberal misguided judges in our county will do nothing to punish the culprits. But hey we elect them; shame on us.
Jay Thomas
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:23 a.m.
"adding that WCC's Community Enrichment program operates the center. " It's amazing how much money at the county level goes to basically help just Ypsi. In a normal community kids would learn to read in school and go to the library to use the internet. I've seen job seekers there too.
ypsireader
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:47 a.m.
Normal communities don't have community centers? What counts as a "normal community"? Off the top of my head, I can think of similar centers in Royal Oak, Kalamazoo, Canton and Ann Arbor, but maybe those places aren't normal either . . .
Citywatch
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 10:09 p.m.
I suggest we stop all the snarky comments and start taking donations to replace the computers. Parkridge Center is an asset to the Ypsilanti community, so write some checks instead of comments!
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 4:13 p.m.
They are getting 2.5 million. It would be prudent to put safeguards in place, not make excuses and have a pity party, @citywatch. That's more than " just a few computers" to safeguard.
Steven Taylor
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 4:07 a.m.
Nope, we need to open our already tight pocketbooks and donate more money! Throw money at it.. It'll make it go away!
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:20 a.m.
That's what the insurance is for. You took time to read the valid opinions, but not the article. Perhaps you can cover the tab next time they neglect to secure the building?
cchirss
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.
Robbery is a horribly personal thing to those who are affected. Many good suggestions regarding finding perpetrator(s). Thank you John for monitoring e-mails and providing corrections. I have spare laptop (not Mac, not top of line but quite functional) I may be willing to donate if wanted.
Solitude
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:39 a.m.
So is burglary, which is what this was. It's nice to see someone offer to help, instead of trying to critique the center's security procedures.
djacks24
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:39 p.m.
Better check ebay and craigslist. Other than that, hope they had find my iphone enabled on and Apple IDs tied to each machine with an icloud account. Then as soon as they are booted, location services would be picking up the whereabouts in icloud.
John Counts
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
To be clear, as indicated in the story, the computers were purchased by Washtenaw Community College, not the city of Ypsilanti.
John Counts
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 2:20 a.m.
djacks24: In an earlier comment, M suggested that it was a branch of city government that shelled out for the computers. I just wanted to point out that was not the case. But that doesn't necessarily mean taxpayers weren't at least partially responsible for funding the purchase of the computers because, to the best of my knowledge (crime is my beat, not education), community colleges do receive state funding.
John
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.
Of course people would start playing the nickel-and-dime game. Cripes. It's 10 computers. Talk about killing people's spirit.
djacks24
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:35 p.m.
So they were or weren't purchased by the taxpayers?
M
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:50 p.m.
10 $2000 iMacs is a ridiculous waste of money for a branch of city government. That said, I hope they find the scum who did this.
paniroza03
Sat, Jun 8, 2013 : 4:32 p.m.
Yes, because we don't want poor kids to learn about computers and contribute to society when they grow up. They might take jobs away from all the immigrants we have to bring in to fill our tech positions. We don't want that.
Solitude
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:02 p.m.
I would be willing to bet that grant money and/or other sources of donations paid for those computers. However, speaking as a taxpayer, I'd much rather see the city spend money on resources to help kids whose families lack resources improve their lives than I would see them spend it on putting those same kids in jail after they break into your house or rob a liquor store.
cinnabar7071
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
I bet they feel the same way I do when I look at my pay check.
John Counts
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:32 p.m.
The window in the lab wasn't left unlocked. It was a window in the fitness area of the building, officials said.
Hugh Giariola
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 8:12 p.m.
@trying, you attempt to blame everyone EXCEPT the criminals who actually stole the computers.
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:16 a.m.
The building should be secured. I am sure that has to be someone's responsibility. Not doing so puts the building at risk for theft and vandalism.
Andrew Kerr
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:15 p.m.
You'd think $20k worth of computers would be secured with a cable lock (or were they?). I'm surprised placed like this don't have more video security given how dirt cheap cameras are. Bottom line is that they probably don't consider it worth it because they have insurance - but that will get cancelled I'd imagine if they have stuff repeatedly stolen. I agree with TryingToBeObjective as well - leaving the window open to a computer lab is just plain stupid, I'm surprised the insurance company didn't kick the case. They should share the specs on these systems though, 10 computers shouldn't be too hard to track down, as RuralMom points out. I'm assuming these must have been the top of the line 27" iMacs if 10 of them were worth $20k (because the cheaper ones weren't good enough?).
TryingToBeObjective
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
If the window was left open, who's responsibility is that? More computers will be stolen unless they address the problem.
TryingToBeObjective
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 12:14 a.m.
Not blaming the "victim." Just would hate to hear it happened again due to care not being taken to secure several new computers. Common sense. Simple question.
djacks24
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:56 p.m.
@Hugh They do put locks on windows and door for a reason. It would be nice if we could just leave our homes, cars, businesses, etc, open and leave them without a thought of theft occurring. But it's pretty much common sense we can't. So yes, it's sad for the victim, but also a mistake made by the victim.
JudeW
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Sorry... mean to upvote Hugh's comment and downvoted it instead!
Hugh Giariola
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 7:34 p.m.
Sounds as if you are blaming the victim here. Open window or not, a thief is a thief.
RuralMom
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 6:49 p.m.
All of this equipment should have serial numbers on them, and the receipts for the purchase should have the serial numbers listed as well. Put that information out there to all area pawn shops AND notify the sellers/manufacturers of the equipment being stolen, if anyone calls for tech assistance, the game would be OVER.
RuralMom
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
djacks24 I am a Service Coordinator for a local AV company, and yes they do tie the serial numbers to invoices, customers have their invoices or they don't pay for the equipment. Law Enforcement if given that information can contact the manufacturer or distributor (whomever the units were purchased from) and have them red flagged. Please don't spread misinformation about an issue you obviously don't have first hand experience in, its a huge disservice.
Rod Johnson
Fri, Jun 7, 2013 : 1:37 a.m.
Gosh, I can't imagine why the police haven't put you in charge of this case!
djacks24
Thu, Jun 6, 2013 : 8:32 p.m.
Machines serial numbers are not tied to a customer. So no, the game is not over by any means. Anybody in the world can call for assistance. As long as the serial number shows as covered by Applecare, they couldn't care less who you are. If the machines are out of warranty, they could care even less. Not saying its right, but that's just how it is...