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Burglary - phi sigma kappa burglary

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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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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 verbatim2243 chars
On January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave.  (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity). According to the reporting party, at approximately 5:33 AM, two individuals entered the residence through the front door and removed power tools, 2-bicycles and delivery packages. There were no signs of forced entry. Video surveillance of the entry to the house, which is owned and maintained by the residents, showed two individuals entering the front entrance of house at approximately 5:33 AM on January 15, 2024. Due to the quality of the video footage, we do not have a detailed description. 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 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM, the MIT Police responded to 487 Commonwealth Ave.  (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity). According to the reporting party, at approximately 5:33 AM, two individuals entered the residence through the front door and removed power tools, 2-bicycles and delivery packages. There were no signs of forced entry. Video surveillance of the entry to the house, which is owned and maintained by the residents, showed two individuals entering the front entrance of house at approximately 5:33 AM on January 15, 2024. Due to the quality of the video footage, we do not have a detailed description. 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: it is issued by the MIT Police Community Policing Unit of the MIT Police Department.

    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.
    2. present: MIT Police Department is the issuer.
    3. present: It is issued by the MIT Police Department.
    4. present: MIT Police.
    5. present: It names 'the MIT Police' and the MIT Police Community Policing Unit.
    6. present: The MIT Police are named and the notice is issued by the Community Policing Unit.
    7. present: Issued by the MIT Police Community Policing Unit.
    8. present: The MIT Police Department issues the notice.
    9. present: The MIT Police are named as the issuer.
    10. present: It says 'the MIT Police responded' and is issued by the MIT Police Community Policing Unit.
    11. present: The MIT Police Department issues the notice.
    12. present: The MIT Police Community Policing Unit issues the notice.
    13. present: The MIT Police Community Policing Unit issued it.
    14. present: It is issued by the MIT Police Department.
    15. present: Issued by the MIT Police Department.
    16. present: The MIT Police are named.
    17. present: The MIT Police are named as the issuer.
    18. present: The MIT Police Community Policing Unit is named as issuer.
    19. present: Issued by the MIT Police Community Policing Unit.
    20. present: Issued by the MIT Police.
    21. present: The MIT Police are named.
    22. present: The MIT Police and its Community Policing Unit issue it.
    23. present: It is issued by the MIT Police Department.
    24. present: It is issued by the MIT Police Department.
    25. present: It states 'the MIT Police responded' and is 'Issued by MIT Police Community Policing Unit'.
  • Hazardpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it describes a burglary in which two individuals removed power tools, bicycles, and packages.

    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 describes a burglary where power tools, bicycles and packages were removed.
    2. present: It names a burglary at a fraternity.
    3. present: It names a burglary of power tools, bicycles and packages.
    4. present: Burglary of a residence.
    5. present: It describes a burglary where individuals 'removed power tools, 2-bicycles and delivery packages'.
    6. present: It names a burglary of tools, bicycles and packages.
    7. present: Names a burglary.
    8. present: It names a burglary with property removed.
    9. present: It names a burglary of the residence.
    10. present: It describes a residential burglary with items removed.
    11. present: It names a burglary with stolen tools and bicycles.
    12. present: It describes a burglary with items removed.
    13. present: It names a residential burglary.
    14. present: It describes a burglary with items removed.
    15. present: Describes a burglary removing tools and bicycles.
    16. present: It names a burglary with items removed.
    17. present: It names a burglary.
    18. present: It names a burglary.
    19. present: Names a burglary.
    20. present: Burglary with theft of tools and bicycles.
    21. present: It names a burglary with items removed.
    22. present: It describes a burglary with theft of tools and bicycles.
    23. present: It describes a burglary with power tools and bicycles removed.
    24. present: It names a burglary with stolen tools and bicycles.
    25. present: It describes a burglary in which two individuals removed power tools, bicycles and packages.
  • Locationpresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (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: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    2. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    3. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave, Phi Sigma Kappa.
    4. present: 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    5. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    6. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)".
    7. present: Gives 487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa).
    8. present: It specifies 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    9. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    10. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    11. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave." at 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., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    15. present: '487 Commonwealth Ave.' Phi Sigma Kappa.
    16. present: It gives "487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)".
    17. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    18. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    19. present: 487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa).
    20. present: 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    21. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    22. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    23. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)'.
    24. present: It gives 487 Commonwealth Ave., Phi Sigma Kappa.
    25. present: It gives '487 Commonwealth Ave. (Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity)' as the location.
  • Guidancepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: the tips instruct readers to "Always lock your residential doors and windows" and 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 instruct readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows'.
    2. present: It advises locking doors and windows and reporting tailgaters.
    3. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows and report suspicious activity.
    4. present: Tips such as lock doors and windows.
    5. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows'.
    6. present: It advises locking doors and windows and reporting suspicious activity.
    7. present: Tips tell readers to lock doors and windows.
    8. present: It lists tips such as locking doors and first floor windows.
    9. present: Tips say to lock residential doors and windows.
    10. present: It advises 'Always lock your residential doors and windows'.
    11. present: It advises locking doors and windows and reporting tailgaters.
    12. present: It advises locking doors and windows.
    13. present: It tells readers to lock doors and close first floor windows.
    14. present: It advises locking doors and windows and bracing air conditioner windows.
    15. present: Tips say lock doors and windows.
    16. present: It advises locking doors and first floor windows.
    17. present: Tips advise locking doors and windows and reporting tailgaters.
    18. present: It advises locking doors and windows and reporting tailgaters.
    19. present: Tips such as locking residential doors and windows.
    20. present: Tips to lock doors and windows and report tailgaters.
    21. present: It advises locking doors and windows.
    22. present: Tips instruct locking doors and windows.
    23. present: It advises locking doors and first floor windows and reporting tailgaters.
    24. present: It lists tips such as locking doors and windows.
    25. present: It advises readers to 'Always lock your residential doors and windows' and report tailgaters.
  • Timepresent25/25

    Final assessment

    Present, unanimously: it gives "January 15, 2024" with times of about 5:33 AM and 10:15AM.

    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 gives 'January 15, 2024' at about 5:33 AM and 10:15AM.
    2. present: It gives January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:33 AM.
    3. present: It gives January 15, 2024 at approximately 5:33 AM.
    4. present: January 15, 2024 at approximately 5:33 AM.
    5. present: It gives 'January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM'.
    6. present: It gives "January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM".
    7. present: Gives January 15, 2024, around 5:33 and 10:15 AM.
    8. present: It gives January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:33 AM.
    9. present: It gives January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:33 AM.
    10. present: It gives 'January 15, 2024' and 'approximately 5:33 AM'.
    11. present: It gives January 15, 2024 at approximately 5:33 AM.
    12. present: It gives January 15, 2024, around 5:33 AM.
    13. present: It gives January 15, 2024 with times.
    14. present: It gives January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:33 AM.
    15. present: 'January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM'.
    16. present: It gives "January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM".
    17. present: It states January 15, 2024, around 5:33 AM and 10:15AM.
    18. present: It gives January 15, 2024, at approximately 5:33 AM.
    19. present: Gives 'January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM'.
    20. present: January 15, 2024 at approximately 5:33 AM.
    21. present: It gives January 15, 2024 with clock times.
    22. present: It gives 'January 15, 2024' and 'approximately 5:33 AM'.
    23. present: It gives 'January 15, 2024' and approximately 5:33 AM.
    24. present: It gives January 15, 2024, with 5:33 AM and 10:15AM.
    25. present: It says 'On January 15, 2024, at approximately 10:15AM' and notes entry at 5:33 AM.
  • Impactabsent0/25

    Final assessment

    Absent, unanimously: it describes a property theft with no stated harm 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 describes a property theft without stating potential harm or severity.
    2. absent: It lists items stolen but states no severity or danger to people.
    3. absent: No consequence or severity is stated.
    4. absent: Property theft only; no severity stated.
    5. absent: No harm or severity is stated.
    6. absent: No harm to people or severity is stated.
    7. absent: Only property loss is described, with no severity statement.
    8. absent: It describes stolen items but no injury or severity statement.
    9. absent: Only property taken is described, with no stated consequence or severity.
    10. absent: No consequence or severity is stated beyond the theft.
    11. absent: It describes only property theft, with no harm or severity.
    12. absent: Only property theft is described, with no stated danger or severity.
    13. absent: It lists stolen items but conveys no severity or danger.
    14. absent: No severity or consequence statement appears.
    15. absent: No consequence or severity is conveyed.
    16. absent: No consequence or severity is conveyed.
    17. absent: It describes stolen property only, with no harm or severity.
    18. absent: Only property was taken, and no harm or severity is stated.
    19. absent: No consequence or severity statement.
    20. absent: Only property loss described; no severity or harm stated.
    21. absent: It states no consequence or severity.
    22. absent: Only property loss is described, with no harm or severity.
    23. absent: Only property was taken; no consequence to people or severity is conveyed.
    24. absent: Only property was taken; no harm to people or severity is conveyed.
    25. absent: It describes only property theft with no injury, threat, or statement of 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." Incident of January 15, 2024. Added July 2026; last updated September 2026. https://campusalertarchive.com/case/mit-phi-sigma-kappa-burglary-2024-01-15/

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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