[hackerspaces] Vandalism and Video Surveillance

[Sean Alexandre]

We have a strange problem at our hackerspace, with minor vandalism. At first it
seemed like someone was just being messy, but now it looks malicious.

As one simple example, we recently had a work day to organize the space. Parts
were put in boxes based on what they were: hard drives, networking equipment,
etc.  One box had phones, and had four simple touch-tone phones. Someone took
each of them and put them randomly in other boxes.

There have been other things like this, some worse. We have another room with
wood and metal working tools, and someone took tools and parts out of their
containers and spread them around the room.

I have to say that I'm not at the space enough to give details on everything
that's happened.  But, the general consensus now seems to be that what's
happening is being done maliciously.

Some have spoken in favor of installing video cameras, to surveil the space, as
a way to stop this.

Others, me included, really don't want to see video surveillance in the space.

Any thoughts on what to do?