[Noisebridge-discuss] Theft at NoiseBridge

[Jake]

I agree that we should meet new people, and everyone should know everyone 
else, at least by name if possible, but the thief guy was actually a 
crackhead and he was singularly determined to get his next fix.  He had 
already made "friends" with Sasha by talking to her at Mi Ranchito 
downstairs and saying that he had met her at a party, so he could have 
continued to introduce and meet people in the space if he had been 
smoother.

But I looked in his eyes, and interacted with him while we were trying to 
get the rest of our stuff back from him before releasing him.. he was a 
wild animal.  He dropped his crackpipe (not a pot pipe) and his world 
shattered.  He was unable to blend in better not because he was dressed 
differently, but because he was overwhelmed by all the money-candy 
flashing around before his eyes.

If he had left before trying to steal Robert's wallet (big mistake) he 
would have gotten away with Sasha's phone.  She didn't even know it was 
gone.  She might have left it on a table unattended, something people do 
all the time with their laptops.

Friends of mine who live in West Oakland in a neighborhood with a lot of 
desparate people say "It heats up in the summertime" and it's true.

As for Ilya and his mental distress, he had gotten the welcome from "the 
guy with multicolored hair" and was making himself at home by taking a 
bath in the bathroom sink.  At one point he explained that he was taking 
Patricks' shirt because he thought that unattended things in this space 
are for anyone to use.  I was there, he said it.

I think there is such a thing as too welcoming, and I think the scrutiny 
new people receive is essential to the security we do have.  I'd rather 
not automatically make friends with people just because they found their 
way in the door.

-jake

Mitch wrote:

A really good part of "security" at Noisebridge is to welcome everyone you 
see come into Noisebridge, as soon as you see them.

This not only makes people (people who we want at Noisebridge) feel 
welcome, but it let's people who we don't want at Noisebridge know that 
their activities are noticed.

When someone walks into Noisebridge who you don't recognize, please greet 
them.  Be friendly, and ask them if this is their first time here, and let 
them know what Noisebridge is about (in a couple of sentences -- such as 
(my way, but use your own): "We're a non-profit community space, where 
people can come to learn and teach and share what they love.  We have no 
leaders, and only one rule, 'Be excellent to each other,' and you are 
totally welcome here if you follow our one rule.").  If you have time, 
offer to show them around.

It takes a total sociopath (or someone having a psychotic episode) to 
steal stuff from people who are friendly to them, especially when they 
know that people are watching them (which they will know when they are 
greeted as soon as they walk in the door).  (And if they are having a 
psychotic episode, then they are most likely not trying to hide it, as 
with the guy trying to put Patrick's things in his bag.)

Mitch.