Tait staff, York Security, and Toronto Police collaborating to further investigate
Staff members at the Tait McKenzie Centre found a total of 46 lockers inside the men’s change room had been broken into over the month of December.
On December 9, security was called to Tait McKenzie regarding several locker break-ins, according to Rob Kilfoyle, York Security Services director.
“Tait staff reported that they found 40 lockers inside the men’s change room with locks cut or missing. It was not clear at that time if there were any items stolen from the lockers,” says Kilfoyle. “Tait staff re-secured the lockers with new locks to prevent any further loss. Only one complaint was received by security out of the 40 indicating anything missing.”
Kilfoyle says there were no suspects identified at the time, and the male complainant reported his cell phone was missing.
Shuayb Khan, a fourth-year computer engineering student told Excalibur his friend was affected by a theft in Tait.
“My friend had his locker broken into in early December, during exams. He said they took his shorts and his energy drinks,” says Khan.
On December 16, Kilfoyle says security was called again to Tait McKenzie after six more lockers in the men’s change room were reported being found with no locks on them, but still had clothing or other items inside.
Three reports were made by students to security regarding thefts from their lockers, according to Kilfoyle. Students said cell phones, wallets, and some cash were missing.
Again, no suspects were identified, and Tait staff re-secured the lockers.
“There is limited CCTV footage available, and from what I’m being told, there is nothing conclusive at this time,” says Kilfoyle.
A lock cutter and a bag with some possibly stolen materials were found on December 21 and turned over to Toronto Police, says Kilfoyle, adding he does not have any further details at this time.
Jennifer Myers, the director of sport and recreation at York, says locker break-ins happen not only at Tait, but at every gym, because “it is a crime of convenience.”
“It happens mainly because you’re not allowed to put security cameras in the change room,” she says.
David Copp, a second-year psychology student, says he hates that York students can’t trust the people they go to school with.
“[Tait] is supposed to be a place to get away from everything. It’s not fair,” he says.
Myers says while locker break-ins at Tait are not a weekly or daily occurrence, staff do receive complaints from students, and there are multiple signs in each change room and in the halls outside of the change rooms that warn patrons not to leave valuable unattended in their lockers.
“The single biggest thing that we do is try and ensure that each person who enters the facility either is a registered user—student or member—or checks in with the front desk,” says Myers.
Ena Kumbaradzi, a third-year biology student, says students should know better than to leave their valuables in lockers in the change room, a public place.
“I don’t leave anything valuable in my locker. I carry my wallet and my phone with me,” she says. “The only thing in my locker is soap and shampoo, and if they really want that, they can have it.”
York Security Services is working with Tait McKenzie staff and Toronto Police to further investigate this series of thefts.
Myers says there will be a discussion between Tait staff and security this week about how to improve security in the building.
By Melissa Sundardas, News Editor
With files from Milica Markovic, Alex Hum, and Mark Grant
