Campus Alert Archive
MIT

Burglary at Sigma Alpha Epsilon

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MIT Police issued a timely warning on or about 2021-08-28. Full text is preserved from the official Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings archive.

Alerts
1
Response
—
Killed
0
Injured
0
Institution
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Private R1 · MA
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~12,000 studentsMIT Police Timely Warnings
Official alert policy
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 verbatim1806 chars
On August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM, the MIT Police responded to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, an MIT fraternity house located at 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that sometime between 3:00 PM and 6:00PM on Saturday August 28, 2021, someone entered the building through the rear basement kitchen door and stole 2 bicycles from the kitchen area. The door was unlocked at the time of the thefts and there are no signs of forced entry. There is no suspect description 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 office and residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. · Lock your office or residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). · When entering or exiting an office, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. · Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are 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 Sergeant David J. O'Connor Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 301 Vassar Street Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212
Verify this quote
MIT Police Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings (police.mit.edu)police.mit.edufind archived copies
Full text from official MIT Police timely warning page
2026-09-21 second deep audit P2 chrome R1: live police.mit.edu timely-warning page product ends at the issuer/Clery close. Drupal CSS, Google Analytics, page-title line, and Emergency 24/7 sidebar are page furniture. Paired demote+correct. Cap-exempt.
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 August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM, the MIT Police responded to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, an MIT fraternity house located at 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston on a report of a burglary. The reporting party stated that sometime between 3:00 PM and 6:00PM on Saturday August 28, 2021, someone entered the building through the rear basement kitchen door and stole 2 bicycles from the kitchen area. The door was unlocked at the time of the thefts and there are no signs of forced entry. There is no suspect description 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 office and residential doors and windows. Assure that the locks are in good working order. · Lock your office or residential door if you are leaving (even if only for a minute or two). · When entering or exiting an office, make sure the door closes tightly behind you. · Report suspicious people or activity. Report all tailgaters. The MIT Police want to remind the MIT community that we are located in an urban setting and share many of the crime and safety issues that exist in any city. The MIT Police are 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 Sergeant David J. O'Connor Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit MIT Police 301 Vassar Street Cambridge, Ma. 02139 617-253-1212

  • Sourcepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the notice says the MIT Police responded and is issued by an MIT Police sergeant of the Crime Prevention unit.

    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: Issued by MIT Police.
    2. present: Issued by MIT Police.
    3. present: It names MIT Police as responder and issuer.
    4. present: Names the 'MIT Police'.
    5. present: It names the MIT Police as responder and issuer.
    6. present: Issued by the MIT Police.
    7. present: Issued by MIT Police.
    8. present: Issued by MIT Police.
    9. present: It is 'Issued by' an MIT Police sergeant.
    10. present: Issued by MIT Police, with a named sergeant.
    11. present: Issued by the MIT Police.
    12. present: It is issued by MIT Police, signed by a sergeant.
    13. present: Issued by MIT Police.
    14. present: Issued by the MIT Police.
    15. present: Issued by MIT Police.
    16. present: It is issued by a sergeant of the MIT Police Crime Prevention/Community Policing Unit, naming the sender.
    17. present: It is 'Issued by' Sergeant David J. O'Connor of the MIT Police, identifying the source.
    18. present: It names 'the MIT Police' as responder and is 'Issued by' a sergeant of the MIT Police.
    19. present: It names the 'MIT Police' and is 'Issued by' Sergeant O'Connor of the MIT Police.
    20. present: It is 'Issued by Sergeant David J. O'Connor' of the MIT Police, naming the issuing agency.
    21. present: It names 'the MIT Police' as responding agency and is issued by an MIT Police sergeant.
    22. present: It names the MIT Police as responders and is 'Issued by' a sergeant of the MIT Police.
    23. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by an MIT Police sergeant.
    24. present: The notice is 'Issued by' an MIT Police sergeant, identifying the police department as sender.
    25. present: The notice states 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Crime Prevention unit.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it names a burglary in which someone entered through a basement kitchen door and stole two bicycles.

    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, bicycles stolen.
    2. present: It names a burglary with bicycles stolen.
    3. present: It names a burglary of two bicycles.
    4. present: Names a 'burglary' with stolen bicycles.
    5. present: It names "a burglary" with stolen bicycles.
    6. present: It names a burglary with bicycles stolen.
    7. present: Names a burglary of bicycles.
    8. present: Names a burglary.
    9. present: It names a burglary.
    10. present: It names a 'burglary' with two bicycles stolen.
    11. present: It names a burglary.
    12. present: It names a burglary.
    13. present: It names a burglary.
    14. present: It reports a burglary with stolen bicycles.
    15. present: A burglary of bicycles.
    16. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which someone entered through a basement kitchen door and stole two bicycles.
    17. present: It names a burglary in which two bicycles were stolen from a kitchen area.
    18. present: It names a 'burglary' in which someone entered through a basement kitchen door and stole two bicycles.
    19. present: It describes a 'burglary' in which two bicycles were stolen from a kitchen area.
    20. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which someone entered and stole 2 bicycles from the kitchen.
    21. present: It reports 'a burglary' in which someone stole two bicycles from the kitchen area.
    22. present: It reports a 'burglary' in which two bicycles were stolen from a kitchen area.
    23. present: It names a 'burglary' in which someone entered and stole two bicycles.
    24. present: It names a 'burglary' in which two bicycles were stolen from a kitchen area.
    25. present: It names a 'burglary' in which two bicycles were stolen from the fraternity kitchen.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it places the burglary at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston, a specific street address.

    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: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 165 Bay State Rd.
    2. present: Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston.
    3. present: It gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    4. present: Gives 'Sigma Alpha Epsilon ... 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    5. present: It gives "165 Bay State Rd. in Boston".
    6. present: It says 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston.
    7. present: Gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at '165 Bay State Rd.'.
    8. present: Gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    9. present: It gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at '165 Bay State Rd.'
    10. present: It gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston.
    11. present: It says Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    12. present: It gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    13. present: It gives Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    14. present: It names Sigma Alpha Epsilon at 165 Bay State Rd.
    15. present: Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 165 Bay State Rd.
    16. present: It identifies Sigma Alpha Epsilon at '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    17. present: It locates it at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston.
    18. present: It places the event at 'Sigma Alpha Epsilon', located at '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    19. present: It specifies Sigma Alpha Epsilon at '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    20. present: It names 'Sigma Alpha Epsilon' at '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston' as the location.
    21. present: It locates it at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    22. present: It locates the theft at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    23. present: It locates the burglary at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston'.
    24. present: It places the burglary at 'Sigma Alpha Epsilon', 165 Bay State Rd. in Boston.
    25. present: It locates the burglarized fraternity house at '165 Bay State Rd. in Boston', a specific street address.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the tips instruct readers to always lock office and residential doors and windows and to report 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: 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 reporting suspicious people.
    4. present: Tips instruct 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows'.
    5. present: Tips tell readers to lock office and residential doors and report tailgaters.
    6. present: Tips say lock doors and windows and report suspicious people.
    7. present: Tips instruct 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows'.
    8. present: Tips tell readers to lock office and residential doors and report tailgaters.
    9. present: Tips say to lock office and residential doors and windows.
    10. present: Tips tell readers to lock office and residential doors and report suspicious people.
    11. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and notify police.
    12. present: Tips tell readers to lock office and residential doors.
    13. present: Tips instruct readers to lock doors and report suspicious activity.
    14. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and report suspicious activity.
    15. present: Tips like 'Always lock your office and residential doors'.
    16. present: Tips tell readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    17. present: The tips say to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows', a protective instruction.
    18. present: Its tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows', a protective action.
    19. present: Tips instruct 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows' and to report tailgaters.
    20. present: Its tips tell readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows'.
    21. present: Tips say 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
    22. present: The tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows', a protective action.
    23. present: Tips instruct readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows'.
    24. present: Tips such as 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows' give protective actions.
    25. present: Its tips tell readers to 'Always lock your office and residential doors and windows', a protective action.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM, plus a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window for the theft.

    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: August 28, 2021, 8:39 PM.
    2. present: It gives August 28, 2021 at 8:39 PM.
    3. present: It gives "August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM".
    4. present: States 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    5. present: It gives "August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM".
    6. present: It gives August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM.
    7. present: States 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    8. present: Gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    9. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    10. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    11. present: It gives August 28, 2021 at 8:39 PM.
    12. present: It gives August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM.
    13. present: It gives August 28, 2021, and times.
    14. present: It gives August 28, 2021 at 8:39 PM.
    15. present: 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM'.
    16. present: It states 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a window of 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
    17. present: It dates the theft to August 28, 2021, between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
    18. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a 3:00 to 6:00 PM theft window.
    19. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a theft window of 3:00 to 6:00 PM.
    20. present: It states 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a theft window between 3:00 and 6:00 PM.
    21. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window.
    22. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window.
    23. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' plus a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window.
    24. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window.
    25. present: It gives 'August 28, 2021, at 8:39 PM' and a 3:00 to 6:00 PM window for the theft.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: the notice reports only two stolen bicycles and states no danger, injury, or severity for recipients.

    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 conveyed.
    2. absent: No harm or severity beyond the theft is stated.
    3. absent: No consequence or severity is conveyed.
    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: No severity or consequence is stated.
    8. absent: No harm or severity is stated.
    9. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    10. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    11. absent: No harm or severity is stated.
    12. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    13. absent: No consequence or severity beyond stolen bicycles is conveyed.
    14. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    15. absent: No harm or severity statement.
    16. absent: Only the theft of two bicycles is described, with no consequence or severity conveyed.
    17. absent: Aside from the stolen bicycles, nothing conveys potential harm or seriousness of the burglary.
    18. absent: Beyond two stolen bicycles, the notice states no danger, injury, or severity for recipients.
    19. absent: The notice reports stolen bicycles only and conveys no harm to people or severity.
    20. absent: The theft of two bicycles from the kitchen is described without any consequence, danger, or severity statement.
    21. absent: The theft of two bicycles is described without any statement of injury or severity.
    22. absent: The notice describes stolen bicycles only and conveys no consequence or severity.
    23. absent: It reports stolen bicycles but does not state any threat to safety or severity.
    24. absent: The text describes only the stolen bicycles and conveys no severity or harm to people.
    25. absent: The alert describes only the theft of bicycles and states no injury risk 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

On or about 2021-08-28, MIT Police published a Clery timely warning on the Crime Alerts & Timely Warnings archive at https://police.mit.edu/crime-alert/timely-warning-burglary-15.
Analysis

Key Findings

Official MIT Police timely warning with complete text
Captured for Ivy Plus MIT five-year deep pass
Outcome
MIT Police investigation status as stated in the timely warning.
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
    Timely Warning Burglary
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
  2. Official
    MIT Police timely warnings index
    police.mit.edu
    archived copy
  3. Statement
    MIT
    mit.edu
    archived copy
Cite this case

Campus Alert Archive. "Massachusetts Institute of Technology: Burglary at Sigma Alpha Epsilon." Incident of August 28, 2021. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-burglary-sigma-alpha-epsilon-an-mit-fraternity-ho-2021-08-28/

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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-warningmitcleryUnder Investigation
Added July 2026Updated September 2026Via ingestion