Kiosk Merchants Give Security Mixed Reviews

The kiosk merchants of the new Shops By Harvard Yard gave mixed reviews in interviews yesterday of the security they are provided by Harvard Real Estate (HRE) and talked of recent problems with shoplifting.

"Yes, I have had a problem," said Lucila Calderon, who works at the Discovery Imports kiosk, which sells Guatamalan imports. "I've seen people trying to steal. They carry shopping bags; they open them and they wait until you're with someone else and they try to put thing in the bag. This happens two to three times a week."

"I keep an eye on everyone and don't trust anyone," Calderon said.

The Shops By Harvard Yard currently are patrolled by Pinkerton Security Services, a well-known private security agency. One guard patrols the kiosks on foot while another watches two video monitors from behind a desk.

But some retailers say two guards and the Shops' hidden camera video monitoring system--even with its zoom lenses and multi-angle display--do not provide enough protection.

The manger of Head Games, a kiosk which sells hair accessories, said the video monitors used by the guards offer only limited protection because the large yellow awnings attached to the kiosks block cameras from seeing customers handling the merchandise.

"They can see the general picture but not what's going on in the booths," said the manager, who requested anonymity.

Claudette King, who runs a kiosk selling Caribbean and African clothing and crafts, also said the camera's sight lines need to be improved. "They should have the cameras so they can see inside the booths," she said. King added that she had "not experienced any problems" with shoplifting in the two months her stand has been in the former Holyoke Center arcade.

The Head Games manager said HRE should hire more guards for the shops because retailers often have to leave the stand unattended when they go to the bathroom or purchase food.

Merchants said that when they must momentarily leave their stands they typically ask other retailers nearby towatch them. Merchants also described a "network"for warning each other about potentialshoplifters.

Olga E. Lopera, who works at the Zipa jewelrystand, said she has become accustomed to watchingfor shoplifters. "I'm used to it, so I keep myeyes on everything." Lopera said so far she hasnot had any problems with shoplifters takingmerchandise from her kiosk.

Sergio Torres, who sells pepper mills andexotic ground pepper from his kiosk called "Life'sa Grind," said the retailers "help each otherout." But he also said HRE should hire moreguards.

"I think they should hire three or foursecurity people, especially on the weekends. If Icould design a system I'd keep a higher control onthe cameras--they watch them, but at all timesthey may not be there," Torres said. He alsosuggested that HRE hire undercover guards.

Torres said he has had about $30 in merchandisetaken from his stand in the last month. "If I'mgoing to grab something, it's going to happenfast," he said. "It just happens too fast."

The two Pinkerton guards working yesterday saidHarvard Real Estate has instructed them not tospeak to the media.

One guard, however, displayed a memo sent byHarvard Real Estate to which was attached a copyof an article published last month in The Crimsonabout problems with homeless persons sleeping ongrates outside the Holyoke Center.

The memo said all inquiries should be referredto Diane Dyslin, the communications director forHarvard Real Estate (HRE). Dyslin could not bereached for comment at her office yesterday

Olga E. Lopera, who works at the Zipa jewelrystand, said she has become accustomed to watchingfor shoplifters. "I'm used to it, so I keep myeyes on everything." Lopera said so far she hasnot had any problems with shoplifters takingmerchandise from her kiosk.

Sergio Torres, who sells pepper mills andexotic ground pepper from his kiosk called "Life'sa Grind," said the retailers "help each otherout." But he also said HRE should hire moreguards.

"I think they should hire three or foursecurity people, especially on the weekends. If Icould design a system I'd keep a higher control onthe cameras--they watch them, but at all timesthey may not be there," Torres said. He alsosuggested that HRE hire undercover guards.

Torres said he has had about $30 in merchandisetaken from his stand in the last month. "If I'mgoing to grab something, it's going to happenfast," he said. "It just happens too fast."

The two Pinkerton guards working yesterday saidHarvard Real Estate has instructed them not tospeak to the media.

One guard, however, displayed a memo sent byHarvard Real Estate to which was attached a copyof an article published last month in The Crimsonabout problems with homeless persons sleeping ongrates outside the Holyoke Center.

The memo said all inquiries should be referredto Diane Dyslin, the communications director forHarvard Real Estate (HRE). Dyslin could not bereached for comment at her office yesterday