 Media Credit: Holly Stewart You can't be too careful in the Strathcona Music Building, where seven instruments were recently stolen. [Click to enlarge]
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Between January 14 and February 9, thieves stole seven instruments valued at tens of thousands of dollars from McGill's Strathcona Music Building. Although most of the instruments have since been returned to their owners, the recent string of thefts has led McGill to reexamine campus security.
Faculty of Music Associate Dean (Administration) Bruce Minorgan said that the McGill campus, and the music building in particular, is susceptible to theft because of its accessibility.
"Of all the McGill buildings, we are likely the most vulnerable, both because of our location and because of the breadth of our activities," Minorgan said.
All libraries at McGill, including the Marvin Duchow Music Library in the New Music Building, are open to the public during certain hours of the day. In addition, the McGill Conservatory of Music offers public services such as instrument instruction, and hosts over 600 concerts a year.
A viola, a cello, a guitar, two saxophones, an oboe, and an English horn were taken from the centerfold floors of the old music building.
Fortunately, six of the seven instruments were recently returned to their owners.
"Five of the instruments turned up at a pawn shop. The cello turned up at a music store here in Canada we do business with," said Peter Wightman, the building director. "They were aware that the instrument was stolen, so when it turned up in the shop, they instantly contacted the student to whom in belonged."
According to McGill Associate Director University Safety Pierre Barbarie, McGill Security can only do so much to prevent theft, and ultimately it's up to the students to properly ensure that their belongings are safe.
"We can't prevent unfortunate incidences from happening, we can just try to work as much as possible to limit their number," he said.
Upon further examination of the security situation in the music building, Minorgan and the building director, Peter Wightman, discovered that many students were using poor locks on lockers that hold instruments worth tens of thousands of dollars.
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