# Assholes that steal extension cords in winter should be eligible for life in prison. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 13, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209 "2013-12-13T00:36:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/41 "2013-12-13T21:03:43Z")
On a more serious note you can buy cordholders that attache to the front grill of the car so that your cord is always attached to the car rather than the post you plug into. Lets you use a single cord for home and work and you can keep the connection between the extenstion and the block heater under the hood. Won’t stop vandalism but pretty theft proof. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/42 "2013-12-13T23:54:00Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Exactly. Oh no, I just thought of something - kids aren’t learning to drive any more, so more of the little assholes will probably be stealing extension cords because they won’t understand what a truly shitty thing that is to do. I’ll run over the liitle SOBs with the studded snow tires on my walker. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/43 "2013-12-14T01:03:41Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > It is a universal rule of etiquette in Western Canada - you don’t mess with someone else’s car-plugging-in cord. You just don’t. Except when they do, ala the OP. It was a joke. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/44 "2013-12-14T01:29:53Z")
I just want to say that killing people for stealing extension cords is entirely wrong. They should be flogged within an inch of their lives, with the very cord they stole. The best justice is poetic justice. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/45 "2013-12-14T01:51:44Z")
> [@White SIFL](#): > > Except when they do, ala the OP. It was a joke. THAT’S NOT FUNNY! Yeah, I knew you were making a joke - we take stealing extension cords very seriously around here. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/46 "2013-12-14T02:00:43Z")
I dunno. I see a lot of homicidal fantasies here, along with tongues firmly in cheek. But I believe I would seriously like to impose a minor privacy violation on 20,000 innocents just so I can expose the rat bastard(s) who stole kushiel’s extension cords. My inner law/order tyrant demands justice. Maybe we could interview the scoundrel’s acquaintances as well. Just so they know. Seriously, the OP describes some sort disturbance in the Force. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/47 "2013-12-14T03:07:14Z")
Punishment for one night; to be forced to use their own body heat to keep said engine warm. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/48 "2013-12-14T03:22:27Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Beautiful art, but I’d be concerned the thief would be a total dick and cut the male connector off the block heater, so he could slip that cord out of the lock. Which would be far worse than just having your extension cord stolen I assume. > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > That’s a good point. If we’re prepping for massive dickishness, or cuntishness as the case may be, I guess securing the extension cord to a fixed object like the outlet post or the car itself would be better. I doubt the thieves carry the requisite cutting tools. It’s a crime of convenience. Rewiring a new plug on the block heater would be a shitty experience in the throws of winter, but I’m willing to bet it could be done for less than 10 bucks if it came down to it. ---
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/49 "2013-12-14T09:20:22Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > A car in a good state of repair likely would start without being plugged in anyway. I drive diesel and am very dependent on the block heater under certain temperatures, no matter how well maintained the truck is, because the diesel turns into gel in cold temps. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/50 "2013-12-14T09:21:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I doubt the thieves carry the requisite cutting tools. It’s a crime of convenience. Cutting tools? I’d think a simple pocket knife would do the trick, wouldn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![campp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@campp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/campp)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/51 "2013-12-14T13:13:59Z")
> [@j666](#): > > It’s as bad as stealing the rock salt some one leaves at the end of the driveway. 😕 What does this mean? (desert dweller here, please be gentle. I’m curious) ---
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/52 "2013-12-14T14:51:13Z")
Many public places, apartment complexes, etc. and some homeowners, particularly those with steep driveways, put a bucket of rock salt and/or sand near the driveways so that anyone who gets stuck on the ice can put some under their wheels to get traction. We don’t generally have block heaters here in New England but we do have the these. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/53 "2013-12-14T15:33:14Z")
See above. Private homes only leave out rock salt when it’s necessary - steep driveway, infirm resident - OR it’s a nice thing - there’s an icy patch of sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![Zakalwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zakalwe/32/270_2.png) [@Zakalwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zakalwe)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/54 "2013-12-14T15:33:17Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Cutting tools? I’d think a simple pocket knife would do the trick, wouldn’t it? But if it’s hooked up such that cutting it is the only way to steal it, it’s probably also under power. A thief cutting that with a pocket knife probably solves your problem for you. ---
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/55 "2013-12-14T16:26:24Z")
> [@Enkel](#): > > I drive diesel and am very dependent on the block heater under certain temperatures, no matter how well maintained the truck is, because the diesel turns into gel in cold temps. Yeah. I forgot about diesels. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2013, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/56 "2013-12-16T03:11:20Z")
> [@j666](#): > > See above. > > Private homes only leave out rock salt when it’s necessary - steep driveway, infirm resident - OR it’s a nice thing - there’s an icy patch of sidewalk. Also, a lot of people leave their snow shovels in their front yards - stealing those would be totally uncool, too. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/57 "2013-12-16T03:20:20Z")
> [@AdmiralQ](#): > > I wish laws would be changed to allow deadly force to be used against those committing an act of theft. After a few criminals have been shot during the commission of their crimes, I have a feeling shit like this would much more rare. My understanding is that England used to hang people for a lot things, including theft, in the 1600 and 1700s. Didn’t seem to decrease crime much then. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2013, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/58 "2013-12-16T05:00:51Z")
> [@j666](#): > > Private homes only leave out rock salt when it’s necessary - steep driveway, infirm resident - OR it’s a nice thing - there’s an icy patch of sidewalk. Where I live, we don’t use salt much, because the temp is too cold for the marginal effect of salt in melting the ice. Chez Piper does have a tub of sand out by the front steps, however, for just that purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/59 "2013-12-16T05:08:06Z")
I meant to, honest. I was going out to get something from the grocery store, and as I was leaving, I remember thinking, “Got to unplug before I go.” Got home; as I drove into the driveway, noticed a long groove in the snow, running from the outlet to the car. First thought: “What the heck is that?” Then noticed that the cord wasn’t there. Second thought (no doubt inspired by this thread): “Has some b\*\*d stolen my cord?!” Third thought: “oh-oh - I don’t remember unplugging…” So I got out and checked the front of the car. There, dangling from the bumper like a long, black snake, was the power cord to my block heater. The plug-in was broken off, and about 2 feet of cord pulled out from the engine. Fourth thought: “Sh\*\*t!” Then, as I went up the front steps, there was my cord and timer, all neatly curled up on the steps, by some good Samaritan who had obviously found the whole thing stretched out across the sidewalk to the street, and took pity on a poor incompetent, putting it back on the steps. So no, no-one in my neighbourhood faces life imprisonment, and to the contrary, some nice neighbour or passer-by did what they could to help. Still, I’ll have to take it to the dealership as soon as possible to get the block heater fixed - temps are in the -10 C range now, but predicted to go back to -28 C by the end of the week… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209/60 "2013-12-16T05:23:40Z")
Sorry to hear that, **Piper**. I picked up a nice extension cord on the road last week - I think it must have fallen off a car, because the ends weren’t bent at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/assholes-that-steal-extension-cords-in-winter-should-be-eligible-for-life-in-prison/676209.md?page=4)