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Burglary - phi sigma kappa burglary 3

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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
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
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Read when and how MIT says it will use MIT Alert: summarized, quoted, and analyzed.
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 verbatim2312 chars
On February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity) regarding a burglary. According to video surveillance provided by the resident, an unknown male approached the front door at approximately 8:15 AM and removed a package. The break-in appears to have occurred between 8:15 AM and 9:00 AM. Pry marks were discovered on the rear entrance to the residence. A bicycle and some cables were reported stolen. According to video surveillance provided by the residents, the individual who approached the front of the residence around the time of the break-in was a white male wearing a black baseball cap, a black face covering, a black winter jacket, white gloves, and beige pants. He was carrying a blue and black backpack. Suggestions 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 Captain Andrew Turco 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 February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity) regarding a burglary. According to video surveillance provided by the resident, an unknown male approached the front door at approximately 8:15 AM and removed a package. The break-in appears to have occurred between 8:15 AM and 9:00 AM. Pry marks were discovered on the rear entrance to the residence. A bicycle and some cables were reported stolen. According to video surveillance provided by the residents, the individual who approached the front of the residence around the time of the break-in was a white male wearing a black baseball cap, a black face covering, a black winter jacket, white gloves, and beige pants. He was carrying a blue and black backpack. Suggestions 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 Captain Andrew Turco MIT Police Department 565-570 Memorial Drive Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it says the MIT Police responded and is issued by an MIT Police Department captain.

    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: MIT Police Department.
    2. present: Issued by Captain Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department.
    3. present: It names MIT Police and is issued by Captain Andrew Turco.
    4. present: Names the 'MIT Police' and is issued by Captain Andrew Turco.
    5. present: It names the MIT Police and is issued by a captain of the department.
    6. present: Issued by the MIT Police Department.
    7. present: Issued by MIT Police Department, signed by a captain.
    8. present: Issued by the MIT Police Department.
    9. present: It is 'Issued by' Captain Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    10. present: Issued by Captain Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    11. present: Issued by the MIT Police Department.
    12. present: Issued by MIT Police, signed by Captain Andrew Turco.
    13. present: Issued by MIT Police and a named captain.
    14. present: Issued by the MIT Police Department.
    15. present: Issued by MIT Police Department.
    16. present: It names the MIT Police as responders and is issued by Captain Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    17. present: It is 'Issued by' Captain Andrew Turco of the MIT Police Department.
    18. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by' a captain of the MIT Police Department.
    19. present: It names the 'MIT Police' and is 'Issued by Captain Andrew Turco' of the MIT Police Department.
    20. present: It names 'the MIT Police' and is 'Issued by Captain Andrew Turco' of the MIT Police Department.
    21. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by Captain Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department.
    22. present: It names the MIT Police and is 'Issued by Captain Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department'.
    23. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by an MIT Police captain.
    24. present: The notice is 'Issued by Captain Andrew Turco, MIT Police Department', identifying the sender.
    25. present: The notice says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by a captain of the MIT Police Department.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it names a burglary, with pry marks on the rear entrance and a bicycle and cables stolen.

    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: Burglary.
    2. present: It names a burglary with pry marks.
    3. present: It names a burglary with pry marks and stolen items.
    4. present: Names a 'burglary' with pry marks.
    5. present: It names "a burglary" with pry marks and stolen items.
    6. present: It names a burglary.
    7. present: Names a burglary with pry marks.
    8. present: Names a burglary.
    9. present: It names a burglary with pry marks.
    10. present: It names a 'burglary' with pry marks and stolen items.
    11. present: It names a burglary.
    12. present: It names a burglary.
    13. present: It names a burglary.
    14. present: It reports a burglary.
    15. present: A burglary with pry marks.
    16. present: It reports 'a burglary' with 'Pry marks' on the rear entrance and a stolen bicycle.
    17. present: It names a burglary with pry marks on the rear entrance and a stolen bicycle.
    18. present: It names a 'burglary' with pry marks on the rear entrance and a bicycle stolen.
    19. present: It describes a 'burglary' with pry marks on the rear entrance and a stolen bicycle.
    20. present: It reports 'a burglary' with 'Pry marks' on the rear entrance and a stolen bicycle.
    21. present: It names 'a burglary' involving pry marks and a stolen bicycle and cables.
    22. present: It reports a 'burglary' with pry marks and a stolen bicycle and cables.
    23. present: It names a 'burglary' with pry marks and a stolen bicycle and cables.
    24. present: It names a 'burglary' with pry marks on the rear entrance of a fraternity.
    25. present: It names a 'burglary' with pry marks on the rear entrance and a bicycle stolen.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it places the break-in at 487 Commonwealth Ave., the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.

    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: 487 Commonwealth Ave, Phi Sigma Kappa.
    2. present: 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity.
    3. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa).
    4. present: Gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    5. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)".
    6. present: It says 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    7. present: Gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    8. present: Gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    9. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    10. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    11. present: It says 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    12. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    13. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    14. present: It names 487 Commonwealth Ave.
    15. present: 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    16. present: It locates the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    17. present: It places the burglary at 487 Commonwealth Ave., the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity residence.
    18. present: It places the event at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    19. present: It specifies '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    20. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
    21. present: It locates the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    22. present: It locates the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    23. present: It places the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    24. present: It places the burglary at '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    25. present: It gives the address '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)', a specific place where the burglary occurred.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the tips tell readers to lock residential doors and windows and to report all tailgaters, which are protective actions.

    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: Lists tips such as locking doors.
    2. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report suspicious activity.
    3. present: Tips instruct locking doors and windows and reporting tailgaters.
    4. present: Tips instruct 'Always lock your residential doors and windows'.
    5. present: Tips tell readers to lock windows and doors and report suspicious activity.
    6. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report tailgaters.
    7. present: Tips instruct locking doors and windows and reporting suspicious activity.
    8. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report tailgaters.
    9. present: Tips say to lock doors and windows and report suspicious activity.
    10. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report tailgaters.
    11. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and report suspicious activity.
    12. present: Tips tell readers to lock residential doors and windows.
    13. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report suspicious activity.
    14. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report tailgaters.
    15. present: Tips like locking doors and reporting tailgaters.
    16. present: Tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    17. present: The tips say 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters', protective instructions.
    18. present: Its tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and 'Report all tailgaters', which are protective actions.
    19. present: Tips include 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    20. present: Its tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    21. present: Tips say 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and 'Report all tailgaters'.
    22. present: The tips instruct readers to lock residential doors and windows and to 'Report all tailgaters'.
    23. present: Tips instruct 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    24. present: Tips instruct residents to 'Lock your residential door if you are leaving', a protective action.
    25. present: Its tips tell readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows', a protective action.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM, and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM break-in window.

    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: February 2, 2024 at about 11:30 AM.
    2. present: It gives February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM.
    3. present: It gives "February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM".
    4. present: States 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    5. present: It gives "February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM".
    6. present: It gives February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM.
    7. present: States 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    8. present: Gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    9. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    10. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    11. present: It gives February 2, 2024 at approximately 11:30 AM.
    12. present: It gives February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM.
    13. present: It gives February 2, 2024, and times.
    14. present: It gives February 2, 2024 at approximately 11:30 AM.
    15. present: 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM'.
    16. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and a break-in window of 8:15 to 9:00 AM.
    17. present: It dates the event to February 2, 2024, with times of 8:15 AM and 11:30 AM.
    18. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM break-in window.
    19. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and a break-in window of 8:15 to 9:00 AM.
    20. present: It dates the burglary 'February 2, 2024' between '8:15 AM and 9:00 AM'.
    21. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM window.
    22. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM window.
    23. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM window.
    24. present: It gives 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM' and an 8:15 to 9:00 AM window.
    25. present: It dates the response to 'February 2, 2024, at approximately 11:30 AM', with an 8:15 AM entry window.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: it lists a stolen bicycle and cables but conveys no consequence or severity beyond the property theft.

    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: No consequence stated.
    2. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    3. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    4. absent: No consequence or severity statement appears.
    5. absent: No consequence or severity beyond the theft is stated.
    6. absent: No consequence or severity is conveyed.
    7. absent: Only stolen items are described.
    8. absent: No harm or severity is stated.
    9. absent: No consequence beyond stolen items is conveyed.
    10. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    11. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    12. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    13. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    14. absent: No consequence or severity is conveyed.
    15. absent: No harm or severity conveyed.
    16. absent: Beyond naming the burglary and stolen items, no consequence or severity is described.
    17. absent: It describes the break-in and stolen items but conveys no consequence or severity beyond that.
    18. absent: It lists a stolen bicycle and cables but conveys no consequence or severity beyond the theft.
    19. absent: It reports stolen property only, and no consequence or severity of the burglary is conveyed.
    20. absent: It lists stolen items but never states any consequence or severity for people.
    21. absent: It describes property stolen but gives no statement of injury or seriousness.
    22. absent: The message describes property loss only and states no consequence or severity.
    23. absent: The notice reports stolen items but does not state consequences or severity for readers.
    24. absent: Only a stolen bicycle and cables are reported; no severity or harm is conveyed.
    25. absent: It reports only property taken in the break-in and conveys no harm to people or stated severity.

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 3." Incident of February 2, 2024. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-phi-sigma-kappa-burglary-2024-02-02/

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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