Break-In At Austin Deaf Club [Transcript] Jo Bienvenu: HI. What happened here at AAD? One afternoon, a friend came, I was with a friend who wanted to rent the place for a wedding. When we got in, it looked strange. Something was wrong. Sure enough, there was a break-in. The TV at the entrance was smashed. The two TVs by the Coke machine over there were stolen. In the cabinet, an iPad was stolen. At the kitchen, the door was damaged, the knob was broken. When we got in… The bar is here. The liquor, the top-shelf ones like Patron, was gone. There was a pretty assortment, but it’s gone. The beer cooler is broken. It is pried open and they took the beer. We are trying our best to cover it up. It happened on Thursday afternoon. The police came and said it could be homeless people, or it might be an inside job because the person(s) knew exactly where to look for. I really have no idea. Police think the thieves used the grill to get a step on the dart board, then used it to go over the wall. They pulled away the wood, got in, and stole tools. The three refrigerators - they were outside - they had locks on it. They were pried open, but whoever opened them were disappointed to see only ice inside. Thank God! Whew. The iPad, the other things stolen, and the liquor - we figure it is valued at about $5,000. Yes, we contacted insurance, but they said, “sorry.” Why? Because we didn’t have an alarm. I said, why didn’t you tell them we don’t need an alarm because we’re deaf? I know it’s not funny, but… Honestly, at the board meeting this afternoon - we talked about an alarm system, we will get one, yes. So it’s $5,000 worth of things. Some members were very disappointed, other people also. I am also heartbroken, but I accept it. There is no use to hold on to negative emotions. No use. I decided to try and ask friends or volunteers to see if they can come. There was a line of people. I was surprised and shocked at the people who came. [Video clip of volunteers helping] Oscar O: We came because the deaf club was broken in. Of course, as a member of the deaf community, I feel sick. It is our center, our place to come together, and someone just went ahead and damaged it. But it’s nice to see the community coming together to clean it up. Vanessa S: That’s right. The root of a deaf community starts with a deaf club. A long time ago my grandfather owned, he started a deaf club in New York. It is still alive today. Some other clubs have closed. So we need to treasure this place where we come together and support each another. That’s what the deaf community is, we give back, we are a family, all for one and one for all. Fred N: I’m really thrilled with so many volunteers, wonderful people who came to help us. Andrew H: I’m shocked to see all the people who came to help us clean up. We planned to clean it up by ourselves, but the break-in caused us to go off track, but now people came to help us and we are able to clean up at the same time. It saves our energy and strength. Rosemary M: Yes, you know those of us in the Executive Board are elderly people. It is a big blessing to have the community help us. It only took two hours and a half and we are done! Claudia: I love this deaf club. It feels like a home to me. I’m disappointed at what happened and I’m hurt, yes, but we work as a deaf community to make it stronger. Ira: Four or five years ago, we came to help clean up the grounds. Now this happened, we are sad, but I’ve come back again. So it’s a natural thing for us. Jo Bienvenu: I really appreciate and love all the volunteers. The deaf people, friends, everybody, I appreciate it so much, I love everyone. To be honest, my advice to you is to get an alarm system installed. Make sure there is an alarm, don’t fret about the monthly cost, otherwise you have to spend $5,000. Or in the future it might be worse, maybe some thieves will come again. It can happen anytime, anywhere. I would appreciate it if you can donate cash or check. The donations are to replace the two iPads, iPod, TV’s, damaged doors, and behind me. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. [You can donate by mail: Austin Association of the Deaf, PO Box 3884, Austin, TX 78764] ----- Supported by: Convo [convo.click/2mVhM8h] Gallaudet University: [gallaudet.edu]
Wonderful key deaf club real important for deaf for future the people good job always keep partner,family,friend ,stay in together Yes good idea put a Alarm so protect your deaf community and deaf proud 🤟👍😃
I think a special LED light flash for Security Alarm. Could you figure out about Security Alarm in-house for blue or red LED flash? I hope the Austin Association of the Deaf have update technology for Security Alarm (LED flash). Also, I am sorry about a break-in the Austin Association of the Deaf. That’s not my fault. And, not your fault too. Shame on burglar!
Break-In At Austin Deaf Club
[Transcript]
Jo Bienvenu: HI. What happened here at AAD? One afternoon, a friend came, I was with a friend who wanted to rent the place for a wedding. When we got in, it looked strange. Something was wrong. Sure enough, there was a break-in. The TV at the entrance was smashed.
The two TVs by the Coke machine over there were stolen. In the cabinet, an iPad was stolen. At the kitchen, the door was damaged, the knob was broken. When we got in…
The bar is here. The liquor, the top-shelf ones like Patron, was gone. There was a pretty assortment, but it’s gone. The beer cooler is broken. It is pried open and they took the beer. We are trying our best to cover it up.
It happened on Thursday afternoon. The police came and said it could be homeless people, or it might be an inside job because the person(s) knew exactly where to look for. I really have no idea.
Police think the thieves used the grill to get a step on the dart board, then used it to go over the wall. They pulled away the wood, got in, and stole tools. The three refrigerators - they were outside - they had locks on it. They were pried open, but whoever opened them were disappointed to see only ice inside. Thank God! Whew.
The iPad, the other things stolen, and the liquor - we figure it is valued at about $5,000. Yes, we contacted insurance, but they said, “sorry.” Why? Because we didn’t have an alarm.
I said, why didn’t you tell them we don’t need an alarm because we’re deaf?
I know it’s not funny, but… Honestly, at the board meeting this afternoon - we talked about an alarm system, we will get one, yes. So it’s $5,000 worth of things.
Some members were very disappointed, other people also. I am also heartbroken, but I accept it. There is no use to hold on to negative emotions. No use. I decided to try and ask friends or volunteers to see if they can come.
There was a line of people. I was surprised and shocked at the people who came.
[Video clip of volunteers helping]
Oscar O: We came because the deaf club was broken in. Of course, as a member of the deaf community, I feel sick. It is our center, our place to come together, and someone just went ahead and damaged it. But it’s nice to see the community coming together to clean it up.
Vanessa S: That’s right. The root of a deaf community starts with a deaf club. A long time ago my grandfather owned, he started a deaf club in New York. It is still alive today. Some other clubs have closed. So we need to treasure this place where we come together and support each another. That’s what the deaf community is, we give back, we are a family, all for one and one for all.
Fred N: I’m really thrilled with so many volunteers, wonderful people who came to help us.
Andrew H: I’m shocked to see all the people who came to help us clean up. We planned to clean it up by ourselves, but the break-in caused us to go off track, but now people came to help us and we are able to clean up at the same time. It saves our energy and strength.
Rosemary M: Yes, you know those of us in the Executive Board are elderly people. It is a big blessing to have the community help us. It only took two hours and a half and we are done!
Claudia: I love this deaf club. It feels like a home to me. I’m disappointed at what happened and I’m hurt, yes, but we work as a deaf community to make it stronger.
Ira: Four or five years ago, we came to help clean up the grounds. Now this happened, we are sad, but I’ve come back again. So it’s a natural thing for us.
Jo Bienvenu: I really appreciate and love all the volunteers. The deaf people, friends, everybody, I appreciate it so much, I love everyone. To be honest, my advice to you is to get an alarm system installed. Make sure there is an alarm, don’t fret about the monthly cost, otherwise you have to spend $5,000. Or in the future it might be worse, maybe some thieves will come again. It can happen anytime, anywhere.
I would appreciate it if you can donate cash or check. The donations are to replace the two iPads, iPod, TV’s, damaged doors, and behind me. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
[You can donate by mail: Austin Association of the Deaf, PO Box 3884, Austin, TX 78764]
-----
Supported by:
Convo [convo.click/2mVhM8h]
Gallaudet University: [gallaudet.edu]
Wonderful key deaf club real important for deaf for future the people good job always keep partner,family,friend ,stay in together
Yes good idea put a Alarm so protect your deaf community and deaf proud 🤟👍😃
Do they still need help cleaning up/repairing?
I think a special LED light flash for Security Alarm.
Could you figure out about Security Alarm in-house for blue or red LED flash?
I hope the Austin Association of the Deaf have update technology for Security Alarm (LED flash).
Also, I am sorry about a break-in the Austin Association of the Deaf. That’s not my fault. And, not your fault too. Shame on burglar!
Wow
Australia?? Or not?
I’m sorry I missed it. What was not given by the insurance company?
Do they have cover insurance for damages?
sorry to hear abt that but good thing they helped each other . I am not from there and I am in Georgia. good luck..