What do I do?!

[Mr Brooksy]

I work for a "not for profit" youth orgainisation, where we do lots of work with students who struggle with school, relating to others, need encouragement and support etc.

We use a fair bit of technology, which has to be transportable as we go into lots of different High Schools.

Prob is one of our staff members borrowed the DLP Digital Projector and then brought it back. Prob is, no one has seen it since! Its been missing in action for over 4 weeks now, and we have all looked everywhere, even our own homes and cars and sheds etc! We cant really report it stolen as there is no proof of a break in. We also cant claim on insurance as we dont have a police report number thingo.

Im at a loss as to what happened. I need this type of Tech to keep the programs cutting edge and engaging for the students. It also needs to be powerful enough to project well in bright rooms.

If we were any other type of organisation we would just buy another with saved funds or whatever, but we run on a shoe string budget and dont have any money to replace the machine!

Am I stuffed?!

[Road_Warrior]

Ask the staff member where the projector is

Then tell all staff that it is missing and if you have inadvertendly borrowed it, it must be returned

Put all staff on notice that the Police will become involved if it doesnt turn up

[Sam]

Did they actually bring it back and someone is able to verify this?. or did they just say that they returned it?

Do you have insurance?

[Mr Brooksy]

Yeah all staff are aware of this. They have looked high and low as well. I trust the guy who borrowed it, he's one of my best mates and has been for about 8 years. He has been distraught about the situation as well.

What are the cops going to do? Ask, and say they cant do much as the incident happened weeks ago.

Yeah we have insurance, but we need an 'incident number' from the police to say its gone dont we?!

[SB076]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Yeah all staff are aware of this. They have looked high and low as well. I trust the guy who borrowed it, he's one of my best mates and has been for about 8 years. He has been distraught about the situation as well.

What are the cops going to do? Ask, and say they cant do much as the incident happened weeks ago.

Yeah we have insurance, but we need an 'incident number' from the police to say its gone dont we?!

You could go to the police and get an 'incident number' to say its gone, because it has gone (regardless of whether there is a break in) and claim insurance - however I would be scouting online auctions for a new/used one (ie Graysonline) You might find it cheaper to buy one through them - than pay an excess for insurance.

What do you use the projector for? Ie powerpoint or movies?

[Mr Brooksy]

Videos and PPT's mainly. We use as different types of communication to help students engage.

So I just call the local Cop shop then and ask?

[SB076]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Videos and PPT's mainly. We use as different types of communication to help students engage.

So I just call the local Cop shop then and ask?

You can but check your excess first, if its going to be $500 or something you might be best not going through insurance.

Check this out http://www.graysonline.com.au/lot.asp?LOT_ID=3634875
It might not suit your needs but might be the cheapest way to fix your current problem (just keep in mind freight and buyers premium) Also check other sites, given the current climate you might be able to find some bargins.

Edit: keep in mind not saying you should buy that one, but they come up frequently that was just the first one I found

[Mr Brooksy]

Thanks for that, I do need at least 1800Ansi Lumens. That only has 800.

Appreciate the link though.

I have to go, and do another program.

[SB076]

Originally Posted by Mr Brooksy

Thanks for that, I do need at least 1800Ansi Lumens. That only has 800.

Appreciate the link though.

I have to go, and do another program.

Maybe even phone Sony, Panasonic Cannon etc as they might have a repaired unit (with minor damage) that they just want to get rid of and given your circumstances they might offer a discounted price or even simply donate one.

I would probably still go to the cop shop just to formalise everything that way if the manufacturers dont help you out and you cant find anything quickly enough online you could still claim insurance.

[weigen]

Mate,
If there is no further investigation needed and there are no suspects, you can call the police assistance line on 131444 and they can take a report and give you a police event number (police report number thingo ) over the phone.

Sounds like someone in your office is up to no good, might even be one of the kids your trying to help.

I would call the local coppers and ask them to come down when you have most of your crew there. If nothing else, they will see the police and it might stir things up a bit. If the crook is seen to get away I dare say more of your gear will go missing.

Russ

[jaydee]

You can report it as lost or stolen, that way if it turns up somewhere or is handed in the police can trace the owner if you have the details.
Did this with my daughters mobile, went missing from her school locker but I reckon she just lost it on the bus or something and too scared to cough up that she LOST another phone.

[Mr Brooksy]

Thanks fella's! Police assistance line sounds like a plan actually. I was feeling a bit weird about walking into the station and saying "hey I have no idea whats happened to my projector, um can I have a police incident number?". The phone will be easier.

Thanks again guys.