Jordan Robbed Over Break

Several hundred dollars worth of computer equipment and other valuables was stolen from five rooms in the Jordan Cooperative over winter break, Harvard police said yesterday.

According to police records, the room locks in Jordan's K-entry, which is used for overflow housing from North House, were "punched out" of the doors. Three of the five residents whose rooms were entered reported missing property, including two word processors and some computer hardware.

Paul E. Brodwin, the resident tutor in Jordan K, said that there appeared to be an "arbitrary pattern" to the burglaries. He said some of the rooms that were entered were left untouched, and that some items of "questionable resale value" were also taken. The missing items included a piggy bank and a "Harvard 1992" banner.

Several residents yesterday blamed the burglary on a lack of security at in Jordan, and said they were angered by the University's unwillingness to take responsibility for the break-in.

"We did lock our doors," said Adrianne C. Dicker '92, another robbery victim. "It was not through carelessness on our parts that we were robbed. The problem with Jordan is that it is isolated from the rest of North House and doesn't have the 'round-the-clock' security that' North House does."

"Because Harvard will accept no responsibility, I feel like I have been abused by the burglars and by the school," said one resident, who asked not to be identified.

Brodwin noted that the outside doors of Jordan K were undamaged, but would not speculate as to whether the burglar had entered the building by force.

"This does not necessarily imply that the perpetrators of the robbery had a key, but it does leave open the possibility," Brodwin said.

After the burglary Harvard officials changed the locks on the entry doors in Jordan K. Previously, the building shared the same entry keys with the rest of North House.

In addition to the isolation of the Jordan housing, Brodwin said that the robbery was due in part to to the absence of all building residents over the holidays. The resident tutor and at least one student spent the vacation in the neighboring J entry, Brodwin said, and no incidents were reported in that entry.

While the police had no comment about the investigation into the incident, one officer said security measures were the same during the vacation as they are when school is in session.

"I feel vulnerable living here now," said Cynthia V. Maxwell '92, a resident whose room was robbed. "We should have secondary locks on the room doors. I think it's too easy to get into this building and these rooms."

Brodwin said that heightened security might help prevent future break-ins.

"The security person assigned to North House checks the outside of Jordan in the evenings as a part of his normal rounds," he said. "It is important for him to come inside as well, especially during vacation periods."