Camera Security in Dorms

blondie.

blondie.

Active member
***Let me start by saying I wasn't sure where to put this thread, but having thought it over I figured I'd put it here, considering I'll hopefully be the proud owner of an HVX/HPX by this fall. I own a DVX at the moment.

Anyways, I'll be living in a dorm on campus this year (my freshman year at UConn) and I was wondering whether anyone here had any experiences with keeping cameras in dorms. Security? I was thinking of buying a padlock and keeping all my equipment in some sort of "lockable" drawer...good idea?

I'm just a little worried about being in a close, open environment where doors are required to be open and people come and go as they please - leaving equipment about is just asking for it to be taken, I think.

If anyone has any advice for me, I'd love to hear it. I appreciate any and every little bit of info I can get.

Thanks guys, cheers!
Milos

Happy 4th!
 
living in the dorms is going to be a great experience for you.

however, keep in mind that you'll never have any real privacy. so, if you're partying hard, make sure your stuff is locked up in your closet, underneath your dirty laundry or something. don't draw attention to your equipment, and no one will know it's there. (out of sight out of mind sort of thing)
 
Oh man, I have had gear stolen, and it sucks. First and foremost, like Jordan S says, make sure it is insured. Since you are a student, I would check with you parents and see if you camera gear, and other valuables, can be added as a rider on their home owners insurance. Second, if you can't add it on you folks insurance, I would check with the university about personal property insurance. But, mos def, get insurance. Also make sure that you get insurance for "Replacement cost", not assessed value. I would then also invest in a sturdy, lockable hard case, and a cable lock, and make sure that the gear is locked down to something bolted down, like a radiator, or water pipe. The idea that hiding it will keep it safe is not very reassuring. The next solution, and one that may be the most secure, is off campus climate controlled self storage unit, again, insured. A 5X5 space would cost you about $50 a month and you can keep a lot of stuff in there.
 
I recommend putting it in a local pawn shop. They will keep it locked up safe and secure for you. When you want it, pay the money you borrowed plus the interest. It isn't much(maybe $30 or $40 for $500 borrowed on a 90 day period) and you have the option to insure while it's in storage. Consider the interest paid a fee for keeping your belongings safe and secure.
 
If you are really that worried about it, along with making sure it's secure, a Portable GPS device might be in order. They have ones that work via GPS and Radio Signals for a couple hundred bucks with and different plans that start around $5 bucks a month. That way, if it ever does get stolen, you can track it and see where it's at. They have devices that only need to be charged once every 30 days or so. I think more people should use these, especially for expensive gear.
 
When I was in university, I had my DVX and sound gear in my dorm room. Everyone was cool and wanted me to make movies with it, but to keep it safe I had it on top of my closet. Out of sight, out of mind.

Never had any issues.

Best of luck,

Kegan
 
Jordan_S said:
...until he blows the money on beer and he's out the cash and the cam...
Click to expand...

Hahahahahaha so true

All good suggestions - I like the idea of insurance, I hadn't thought of that (chriskiker I read your thread, that sucks so much dude I'm sorry), and having a large lockable box sounds good. Chain it under my bed, maybe?

Thanks again gaiz, any more opinions are very welcome :)
 
I recommend putting it in a local pawn shop. They will keep it locked up safe and secure for you. When you want it, pay the money you borrowed plus the interest. It isn't much(maybe $30 or $40 for $500 borrowed on a 90 day period) and you have the option to insure while it's in storage. Consider the interest paid a fee for keeping your belongings safe and secure.
Click to expand...

that is at the same time the dumbest and most creative thing ive heard in recent memory.
 
It's not dumb unless the person asking is not financially responsible. Would you trust a dorm full of college kids with your possessions? I'm assuming insurance would be difficult if not impossible to get for a college dorm.
 
When I first moved to the city for uni I lived in Student apartments where we all had our own bedroom so I wasn't too worried about security. In my first week however, my car was parked at the uni and in the middle of the day and, in broad daylight, they smashed a window and made off with $30 worth of coins (we have $1 and $2 coins in Australia) and a handful of candy. Thankfully they ignored my NV-GS400 under the seat and the two almost brand-new surfboards that were also in the car.

I would've lost my phone and wallet as well, had I not returned to my car between classes to fetch them and go to Subway for lunch. That steak snadwhich saved me alot of hassle!

A few weeks later a friend wasn't so lucky and had his car stolen from the secure underground car-park at our units along with his and three mates surfboards. I learned to never be too casual about security after these incidents and started hiding and securing my valuables alot better. I think the local crooks knew that the uni students were easy targets and preyed on them alot. If the same happens in your area then a big metal safe under your bed might not be a bad idea.
 
During my first year of college, everyone in a dorm of about 300 met each other and became friendly quickly mostly because the TV in the lounge was broken. Three floors, co-ed by floor, guys on the second floor (:)). We'd trek to lunch or dinner in the dining hall in packs of 40 or 50. People were always hanging out in the hallways or hopping from room to open room. When I say everyone knew each other, I mean everyone. We heard from people in other dorms that our was a very unique situation and that they were all jealous.

All year, I never locked my door. In fact, most of the time, it was wide open. Inside were hundreds of CDs, an electric guitar sitting on a stand, and an amp. Nothing was ever stolen. OK, it was a Squire Telecaster, but still.

Fast forward one year. I got stuck with a roommate I didn't know because the guy I was supposed to have roomed with was unable to return to school at the last second. The dorm had changed to being co-ed by room. The TV now worked. Everyone did not get to know each other quickly and people knew only those whose rooms were nearby. My new roommate was not social, seemed depressed, and insisted on locking the door whenever neither of us was in it.

This was a new procedure for me. I managed to close the door most of the time, but locking it was a chore. Eventually, I gained the habit. One day, I walked in the room mid-day, and a campus security officer was inside, taking notes. Apparently, someone had stolen cash from my roommate. I checked but nothing of mine was missing. I admitted that it was possible I had forgotten to lock the door.

You have to lock and insure your valuables. This anecdote will be of no benefit to your situation. I just enjoyed reminiscing about college. It was so much fun. I would love to re-experience just one day of it. It could even be a bad day. Best advice I can give: work hard and play hard.
 
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