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Burglary - phi sigma kappa burglary 2

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MIT Police issued a timely warning for a burglary at Phi Sigma Kappa, published in the MIT timely-warnings archive.

Alerts
1
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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Documented Timeline

Alert Sequence

1 message in sequence · 1 verified verbatim

Confirmed wording is transcribed character-for-character from a primary source. Use Verify this quote under each message to open that source in a new tab and compare the text yourself.

INITIAL ALERTEmail
Verified verbatim2030 chars
On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave.  (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity). According to the reporting party, at approximately 5:00 AM, someone forcibly entered the residence through the front door and removed a Cannondale bicycle, color white. There were signs of forced entry to the front door frame. There is no suspect information available at this time. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips:         •       Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur.         •       Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order.         •       Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry.         •       Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two).         •       When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you.         •       Report suspicious activity or individuals behaving in a suspicious, erratic, dangerous manner.         •       Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police Department reminds the MIT community that our campus is located in an urban setting and shares many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are actively investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community.  If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit MIT Police Department 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212
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Message elements

How the first alert is built

To check this alert, Claude Opus 5.5 (an AI) read it in full 25 separate times, independently. Each read decided whether the message answers each of the six questions and gave a short reason. A final reviewer then weighed all 25 and wrote the plain-English verdict you see when you open a row. The score (for example 22/25) is how many reads agreed; the 25 individual reads are tucked underneath if you want to check them.

On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave.  (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity). According to the reporting party, at approximately 5:00 AM, someone forcibly entered the residence through the front door and removed a Cannondale bicycle, color white. There were signs of forced entry to the front door frame. There is no suspect information available at this time. While victims of crimes are never to blame for criminal activity, there are some precautions that can be taken. In order to protect yourself and your belongings from theft and/or facilitate the recovery of your stolen property, MIT Police encourage you to follow these tips:         •       Immediately notify the MIT Police at 617-253-1212 or 100 from any campus phone if you believe a crime is occurring, has occurred, or is about to occur.         •       Always lock your residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order.         •       Close and lock first floor windows at night or when not at home. If windows have a box air conditioner, consider using a brace to prevent intruders from using those windows a way to gain entry.         •       Lock your residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two).         •       When entering or exiting a residence or, make sure the door closes tightly behind you.         •       Report suspicious activity or individuals behaving in a suspicious, erratic, dangerous manner.         •       Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police Department reminds the MIT community that our campus is located in an urban setting and shares many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are actively investigating this crime and request the assistance from the MIT community.  If you wish to leave an anonymous tip please call 617-258-TIPS (8-8477). Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit MIT Police Department 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the notice comes from the MIT Police, who responded and issue the prevention tips.

    Who is sending the alert and who is responding. People act faster on a message from a clearly identifiable, credible sender, such as a named department, the police, or a branded alert system, than on an anonymous notice. A branded signature counts.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It is issued by the 'MIT Police Community Policing Unit' of the MIT Police Department.
    2. present: It is "Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit" and names the MIT Police Department.
    3. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit'.
    4. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the issuing agency.
    5. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit'.
    6. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    7. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the sender.
    8. present: The notice is "Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit" and names the MIT Police Department.
    9. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit' and names the MIT Police Department.
    10. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the MIT Police Department as the source.
    11. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', identifying the MIT Police Department as sender.
    12. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    13. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit' and says the MIT Police responded.
    14. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit' and names the MIT Police Department.
    15. present: It names the MIT Police and is "Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit".
    16. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', identifying the sending agency.
    17. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', MIT Police Department.
    18. present: It names "the MIT Police" as responders and is "Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit".
    19. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the MIT Police Department as sender.
    20. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit'.
    21. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    22. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the authority.
    23. present: It is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit', naming the sending agency.
    24. present: It is "Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit" of the MIT Police Department.
    25. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit'.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it says someone "forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, a burglary.

    What the threat actually is. A complete warning names the specific danger, such as a shooter, a fire, a tornado, or a gas leak, rather than a vague emergency, because people decide what to do based on what they are facing.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    2. present: It says someone "forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, naming a burglary.
    3. present: It describes a forced entry and theft of a bicycle, a burglary.
    4. present: It describes a forced entry in which 'someone forcibly entered the residence' and took a bicycle, a burglary.
    5. present: It reports someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    6. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary hazard.
    7. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a specific burglary threat.
    8. present: It reports that "someone forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    9. present: It describes a forcible entry in which someone 'removed a Cannondale bicycle', a specific burglary.
    10. present: It says 'someone forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a specific burglary threat.
    11. present: It reports that 'someone forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a specific burglary.
    12. present: It says 'someone forcibly entered the residence' and took a bicycle, describing a burglary.
    13. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and took a bicycle, a burglary.
    14. present: It names a forced entry burglary in which someone 'removed a Cannondale bicycle'.
    15. present: It says someone "forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    16. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    17. present: It reports someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and took a bicycle, a burglary.
    18. present: It reports that someone "forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    19. present: It describes someone who 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    20. present: It reports that 'someone forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a specific burglary.
    21. present: It describes someone who 'forcibly entered the residence' and took a bicycle, a burglary hazard.
    22. present: It describes someone who 'forcibly entered the residence' and stole a bicycle, a specific burglary.
    23. present: It says someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a specific burglary.
    24. present: It says someone "forcibly entered the residence" and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
    25. present: It reports that someone 'forcibly entered the residence' and removed a bicycle, a burglary.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it names "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)" as the location.

    Where the threat is. Saying whether danger is in a specific building, a part of campus, or area-wide lets people judge their own proximity and choose a safe direction. Without a where, a warning is hard to act on precisely.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It names '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    2. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)" as the location.
    3. present: It locates the incident at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    4. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    5. present: The location is '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)', a specific street address for the burglary.
    6. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    7. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    8. present: The incident took place at "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)".
    9. present: It locates the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    10. present: It gives the location as '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    11. present: The burglary is placed at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)', a specific street address.
    12. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    13. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    14. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    15. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)".
    16. present: It locates the incident at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    17. present: It gives the location as '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    18. present: It gives the location "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)", a specific street address for the burglary.
    19. present: It places the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)', a specific address and building.
    20. present: It names '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    21. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    22. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    23. present: It places the incident at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    24. present: It places the entry at "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)."
    25. present: It gives the location as '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: its tips direct readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to report suspicious activity.

    The protective action to take. A clear, specific instruction, such as shelter in place, evacuate, avoid the area, or run-hide-fight, drives faster and more correct protective behavior than describing the threat alone.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: Tips direct readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    2. present: It urges readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report tailgaters, protective actions.
    3. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    4. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious individuals.
    5. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    6. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    7. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious activity to MIT Police.
    8. present: Readers are told to "Lock your residential door if you are leaving" and to report suspicious activity.
    9. present: It lists protective tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    10. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    11. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    12. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious individuals.
    13. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report suspicious activity.
    14. present: It lists tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    15. present: It tells readers to lock residential doors and windows and to report tailgaters.
    16. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    17. present: It urges readers to lock doors and windows and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    18. present: It advises readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and report suspicious activity, which are protective actions.
    19. present: It urges readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    20. present: It lists tips such as 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters', protective actions.
    21. present: It tells readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters, which are protective actions.
    22. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report suspicious activity.
    23. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    24. present: It advises "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and to report tailgaters.
    25. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters and suspicious activity.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it dates the response "January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" and the entry at about 5:00 AM.

    When the message applies. A timestamp, the word now or immediately, or a phrase like until further notice tells the reader whether the danger is current and how quickly to act.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. present: It dates the response 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM'.
    2. present: It says police responded "On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" after entry around 5:00 AM.
    3. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' as the response time.
    4. present: It states 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and an entry time around 5:00 AM.
    5. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and 'approximately 5:00 AM' for the entry.
    6. present: It dates the police response 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and the entry to about 5:00 AM.
    7. present: It states 'On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and an entry time around 5:00 AM.
    8. present: It gives "January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" and a 5:00 AM entry time.
    9. present: It dates the response 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and entry around 5:00 AM.
    10. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and a break-in time of about 5:00 AM.
    11. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and the entry 'at approximately 5:00 AM'.
    12. present: It says police responded 'On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' to an entry around '5:00 AM'.
    13. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and the 5:00 AM entry time.
    14. present: It dates the response 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM'.
    15. present: It gives "January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" and "approximately 5:00 AM".
    16. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and an entry time near 5:00 AM.
    17. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and entry 'at approximately 5:00 AM'.
    18. present: It states "January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" and a 5:00 AM entry time.
    19. present: It says 'On January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and entry 'at approximately 5:00 AM'.
    20. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and says entry occurred 'at approximately 5:00 AM'.
    21. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and an entry time around 5:00 AM.
    22. present: It states 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and the entry at about 5:00 AM.
    23. present: It gives 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and an entry time of about '5:00 AM'.
    24. present: It gives "January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM" and a 5:00 AM entry.
    25. present: It states 'January 26, 2024, at approximately 12:13 PM' and says the entry happened at about 5:00 AM.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: it notes "signs of forced entry" but never states potential harm to people or severity.

    What the hazard could do to the people in its path. Beyond naming the threat, a complete warning conveys its potential consequences or severity, such as that a tornado can level buildings or that a leak could be explosive, so recipients grasp how much danger they are in. Research on warning message content finds that a concrete impact statement helps people personalize their risk and act sooner.

    See all 25 individual reads
    1. absent: It notes 'signs of forced entry' but never states potential harm to people or severity.
    2. absent: It reports the stolen bicycle and forced entry without stating any consequence or severity to people.
    3. absent: It describes a stolen bicycle but states no consequence or severity to people.
    4. absent: The theft of a bicycle is described but no consequence or severity for others is conveyed.
    5. absent: It notes forced entry and a stolen bicycle but never states harm or severity for people.
    6. absent: The notice describes property theft only and never states any potential harm or severity.
    7. absent: It notes signs of forced entry and a stolen bicycle but gives no stated harm or severity to people.
    8. absent: It mentions forced entry and a stolen bicycle but does not state any danger or consequence to people.
    9. absent: It reports property theft and forced entry without stating any danger or potential harm to people.
    10. absent: It notes signs of forced entry and a stolen bicycle but conveys no consequence or severity to people.
    11. absent: It describes a stolen bicycle and forced entry but states no potential harm or severity to people.
    12. absent: Beyond the stolen Cannondale bicycle, it does not state any potential harm or severity.
    13. absent: It describes a stolen bicycle and forced door but conveys no potential harm or severity.
    14. absent: Only a bicycle theft is described, with no statement of danger or consequence.
    15. absent: It notes forced entry and a stolen bicycle but states no consequence or severity for people.
    16. absent: No statement about danger or potential harm appears beyond the theft of a white Cannondale bicycle.
    17. absent: Beyond a stolen Cannondale bicycle and a damaged door frame, it conveys no danger or severity to people.
    18. absent: It mentions forced entry and a stolen bicycle but conveys no danger or potential harm to people.
    19. absent: It describes forced entry and a stolen bicycle without stating any potential harm to people.
    20. absent: It describes a stolen bicycle and forced entry but conveys no consequence or severity for people.
    21. absent: It reports forced entry and a stolen bicycle but describes no risk of harm or severity.
    22. absent: It notes only a stolen bicycle and forced entry, stating no harm or severity to people.
    23. absent: It describes only a stolen bicycle and conveys no potential harm or severity to people.
    24. absent: It reports a stolen bicycle and forced entry but states no consequence or severity for people.
    25. absent: The notice describes a stolen bicycle and door damage but conveys no consequence or severity for people.

Coded by Claude Opus 5.5

Systematic AI judgments with visible reasoning, not human-validated codings.

About this analysis
Context

Background

MIT Police publishes Clery timely warnings on police.mit.edu. This notice for Phi Sigma Kappa is recovered from the official crime-alert page.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MITPD timely-warning narrative
Outcome
MIT Police investigation; prevention tips included in the notice.
Provenance

Sources

Every claim on this page is meant to be checkable. Open the links below (and the Verify this quote control under each confirmed alert) to read the original university, news, or archive page yourself. Hostnames are shown so you can see where you are going; archived copies survive when live pages move or disappear. See also our methodology.

  1. Official
    MIT Police timely warning
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Burglary - phi sigma kappa burglary 2." Incident of January 26, 2024. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-phi-sigma-kappa-burglary-2024-01-26/

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Alert text quoted on this page remains the work of the issuing institution; the archive is a secondary source.

Tags
burglarytimely-warningmit2024Under Investigation
Added July 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion