N.C. Central University police continue to investigate the larceny of 11 sousaphones from the band room located in the basement of the Edwards Music Building.

Six sousaphones, which belong to NCCU’s Marching Sound Machine, were discovered missing in November. The other five were reported stolen after winter break in January.

One unanswered question is how the burglar(s) were able to gain access to the band room, located in the basement, if keys are issued only to specific music department personnel.

In a police report filed by assistant band director Samuel Rowley on Jan. 8, Rowley said that on Jan. 7 before practice, he noticed that five sousaphones were missing from the band room, with their cases left behind.

The police report also stated that there were no indications of forcible entry to the doors of the side basement entrance or the band room.

Crime Prevention Officer Billy Boyd, case co-investigator, said his concern was that proper precautions may not have been taken.

“Locking up is an important issue in security,” said Boyd. “You never know who is just waiting to capitalize on someone’s mistakes.”

Officer Boyd declined to comment on whether someone failed to lock the facility, copied a key illegally, picked locks, or propped open the doors.

Key records indicated that NCCU band director Jorim Reid, visiting instructor Robert Trowers, and Rowley were issued keys that would give access to the band room.

Paula Harrell, music department chair, and her administrative assistant also hold a master key to the building that provides access to the band room.

According to University key policy, Harrell and physical plant director, Phillip Powell, sign off on all the keys issued to staff and faculty in the Edwards Music Building.

After the theft of the sousaphones, the locks to the two doors that provide access to the band room were changed.

Reid, Trowers and Rowley did not respond to a Campus Echo e-mail request for details of their procedures for managing their keys.