# A former NASA engineer creates a glitter- and stink-bomb trap for package thieves **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 18, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342 "2018-12-18T21:23:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/1 "2018-12-18T21:23:45Z")
The second video here - WELL worth a look: [Former NASA engineer creates glitter bomb trap for package thieves | CNN](https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/12/18/us/glitter-bomb-package-thieves-trnd/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=image&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2018-12-18T19%3A10%3A01) Serves 'em right, sez I! ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/2 "2018-12-18T22:07:38Z")
I SO loved that, too bad he can’t use paint or something just a little more permanent. Nerds rage against the machine! And build a better one. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/3 "2018-12-18T22:15:37Z")
> [@G0sp3l](#): > > I SO loved that, too bad he can’t use paint or something just a little more permanent. This is one of those projects for which I think it should be relatively easy for civilians to get their hands on the dye-packs banks use for robberies. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/4 "2018-12-18T22:27:16Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > This is one of those projects for which I think it should be relatively easy for civilians to get their hands on the dye-packs banks use for robberies. Any place you can use something like that (a dye pack), I don’t see why you couldn’t use food coloring as well. Also, you could use (instead of or in addition to food coloring) UV dye. I know some pepper spray’s use this so that after the suspect washes off the pepper spray, they don’t realize the UV dye is there and when/if brought in for questioning, they glow under a UV light which makes it pretty obvious that they were the person sprayed. I can tell you, first hand, that UV dye from the auto parts store is mostly invisible under regular light, but glows very brightly under UV light…no matter how many times you wash your hands. ---
**Author:** ![road\_lobo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@road\_lobo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/road_lobo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/5 "2018-12-18T22:28:55Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > The second video here - WELL worth a look: [https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/12/18/us/glitter-bomb-package-thieves-trnd/index.html?utm\_medium=social&utm\_term=image&utm\_source=twCNN&utm\_content=2018-12-18T19%3A10%3A01](https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/12/18/us/glitter-bomb-package-thieves-trnd/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_term=image&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2018-12-18T19%3A10%3A01) > > Serves 'em right, sez I! This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. > **[Attractive nuisance doctrine](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine)** > > The attractive nuisance doctrine applies to the law of torts in some jurisdictions. It states that a landowner may be held liable for injuries to children trespassing on the land if the injury is caused by an object on the land that is likely to attract children. The doctrine is designed to protect children who are unable to appreciate the risk posed by the object, by imposing a liability on the landowner. The doctrine has been applied to hold landowners liable for injuries caused by aband There... This is cowardly vigilantism and attention-whoring. One would hope a NASA engineer would act like a responsible adult: install HD surveillance cameras, provide video evidence to police. Please note: I’m not defending thievery. I’m advocating for the rule of law. This shit is not new, it’s standard Youtube fodder. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/6 "2018-12-18T22:35:41Z")
> [@road\_lobo](#): > > This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. > > [Attractive nuisance doctrine - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine) > > This is cowardly vigilantism and attention-whoring. One would hope a NASA engineer would act like a responsible adult: install HD surveillance cameras, provide video evidence to police. > > Please note: I’m not defending thievery. I’m advocating for the rule of law. This shit is not new, it’s standard Youtube fodder. This may or may not be ethical, legal, or advisable. it is not, however, related to the “attractive nuisance” doctrine you linked to. > [@](#): > > The attractive nuisance doctrine applies to the law of torts, in the United States. It states that a landowner may be held liable for injuries to children trespassing on the land if the injury is caused by an object on the land that is likely to attract children.[1] The doctrine is designed to protect children who are unable to appreciate the risk posed by the object, by imposing a liability on the landowner What we have in this case is 1) no children, 2) no trespassing, and 3) no condition of the land that children would be unable to appreciate the risk of. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/7 "2018-12-18T22:35:45Z")
> [@road\_lobo](#): > > This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. As much as I like the idea of messing with thieves, I gotta agree, this is reeeeeal stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/8 "2018-12-18T22:43:45Z")
> [@road\_lobo](#): > > This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. > > [Attractive nuisance doctrine - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine) > > This is cowardly vigilantism and attention-whoring. One would hope a NASA engineer would act like a responsible adult: install HD surveillance cameras, provide video evidence to police. > > Please note: I’m not defending thievery. I’m advocating for the rule of law. This shit is not new, it’s standard Youtube fodder. If you watched the video, you’ll hear him say that he took the security camera footage to the police and they told him they weren’t going to follow up on it. He didn’t build his package until \*after \*the police refused to track the thieves down, probably because the value of the package was under felony limits. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/9 "2018-12-18T22:52:11Z")
That was the best thing I’ve seen in, hell I don’t know. A long time. My only fear would be that the thieves remembered from which porches they picked up their prizes. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/10 "2018-12-18T23:00:52Z")
Oh my, that was a depends moment! Revenge is a dish best served cold ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/11 "2018-12-18T23:05:35Z")
Maybe I missed something, but the only possible injury I see is to one’s feelings at being duped. I thought the glitter was inspired! That stuff never goes away - a lasting reminder. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2018, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/12 "2018-12-18T23:33:33Z")
> [@road\_lobo](#): > > This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. > > [Attractive nuisance doctrine - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine) > > This is cowardly vigilantism and attention-whoring. One would hope a NASA engineer would act like a responsible adult: install HD surveillance cameras, provide video evidence to police. > > Please note: I’m not defending thievery. I’m advocating for the rule of law. This shit is not new, it’s standard Youtube fodder. Why “thieves”? Are you suggesting that they aren’t thieves? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/13 "2018-12-19T00:01:06Z")
Fuck that. Replace the glitter with dynamite. Think of it as evolution in action. ---
**Author:** ![G0sp3l](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c68b51/32.png) [@G0sp3l](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/G0sp3l)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/14 "2018-12-19T01:15:48Z")
> [@road\_lobo](#): > > This is stupid. People who do this shit are asking for trouble: “thieves” who are injured will sue you, and/or come back later to visit you. Parents of “thieves” who are minors who are injured will destroy you in court. > > [Attractive nuisance doctrine - Wikipedia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attractive_nuisance_doctrine) > > This is cowardly vigilantism and attention-whoring. One would hope a NASA engineer would act like a responsible adult: install HD surveillance cameras, provide video evidence to police. > > Please note: I’m not defending thievery. I’m advocating for the rule of law. This shit is not new, it’s standard Youtube fodder. Thieves looking for vengeance and liability is the only reason not to do lasting harm. My personal belief is thieves pay their quarter and take their chances. Considering the police said it wasn’t worth their time I don’t blame the someone being proactive, especially in such a non-malicious manner. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/15 "2018-12-19T01:23:38Z")
Plus a thief would have to admit they got glitter in their eye because they stole a package off a porch. So there’s that. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/16 "2018-12-19T05:40:05Z")
Yup. The fart spray was also inspired… and the addresses from _Home Alone_. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/17 "2018-12-19T05:43:54Z")
This is brilliant. Any concern for the package thieves is unwarranted. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/18 "2018-12-19T07:36:30Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Yup. The fart spray was also inspired… and the addresses from _Home Alone_. I must admit, that while watching the video, I burst out laughing every time I heard the fart spray go off. “Pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht.” Pause a bit, then, “Pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht-pssht,” all over again. One thief: “Oh, man, did you…?” Hilarious! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/19 "2018-12-19T10:21:18Z")
Sweet, sweet revenge! This guy should market this invention, in different types of packages. ---
**Author:** ![Terminus\_Est](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terminus_est/32/3087_2.png) [@Terminus\_Est](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terminus_Est)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2018, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342/20 "2018-12-19T11:31:28Z")
I think the naysayers are reacting to “bomb” in the title. If they had watched the video, it’s clear that no explosives whatsoever were involved in the creation of the device. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-former-nasa-engineer-creates-a-glitter-and-stink-bomb-trap-for-package-thieves/826342.md?page=2)