In March the mail carrier left a package worth $150 next to the mailbox. Somebody took it. In April the $35 car adapter for my iPod went missing. Absentminded as I can be, I thought I might have taken it out and misplaced it; though I strongly suspected someone took it. A little bit ago I got into my car to discover that my new $75 iPod FM adaptor was gone and the passenger door was ajar. Normally I lock my vehicle. Last night I forgot, as I thought I’d be going out again.
This place ain’t exactly known for its crime problems. It’s very quiet. Several years ago I bought a cheap cricket bat for comedic purposes. I’m feeling I’d like to try some comedy on the local thief with it. (My three-foot razor-sharp broadsword, katana, or PPK/S might be taking things too far. Though an irate broadsword-wielding property owner might get a couple of laughs.)
Damn! You live in Mayberry, we live in Gomorrah and leave my door unlocked most of the time. The only theft we’ve had was gas, 20 gallons from the truck parked right outside the door in the driveway. (how does one carry 20 gallons away?)
I wouldn’t wield the broad sword in public. Best case, you’d end up in the loony bin on a 72 hour evaluation hold. Worst case, well let’s just not go there.
Did you report the car prowl? If not, you should, so Barney can watch a little closer.
Yep. A deputy came out. I reminded him about the mail theft, which I’d reported previously. I also pointed out the markings on the door (I haven’t washed the Jeep, since it’s either drizzling or preciptation is expected much of the time) that indicate that someone closed the door with his sleeve, which was either of corduroy or some other rough material. He really needn’t have bother coming out. I could have given him the facts on the phone. He said he’d give the data to their crime analyst, who will use it to decide if extra patrols are warranted.
I found a DVR with motion detection and a day/night camera on amazon. I’m thinking about setting it up and then putting some ‘bait’ in the car. Hm. I’ll have to look for a small wireless day/night camera for inside. If he doesn’t see the camera, I’ll have him on disc. If he steals the camera, I’ll have him on disc.
Yeah, but then you have to identify him. Putting a camera in the car will likely just increase the odds of a break-in, and may increase your costs if the guy decides actually to break into the car instead of just opening the door.
A friend of mine had her house broken into last month; the worst part was that the thieves took a fed ex package that had just arrived. The package contained nothing of value – just some irreplaceable baby pictures from many years ago.
Lock the door every time, even if you’re gone for two minutes.
Carry a spare key (in your wallet, purse, ponytail, whatever is always with you) for when you lock your keys in your car.
Don’t lock your keys and your wallet in the car like I did last month. :o
Thieves often look for easy targets. A thief who’ll open a car door won’t always bother to break the window. And if your stuff is tucked away under the dashboard / seats, leaving your door unlocked is just an invitation to have somebody find it.
Do you live in a neighborhood or out in the country? In my area, thefts from doorsteps, mailboxes and unlocked cars are almost always kids in the 12 to 16 year old age group. These kids almost always live within strolling distance of where they steal stuff. Kind of depressing to think of one’s neighbor’s kids stealing stuff, but it happens a lot.
Good luck, I hope you don’t lose any more of your stuff to theft.
Coming from L.A. I do lock up. But the other night I forgot to. Nothing tucked under the seats except a Thomas Guide.
It’s a neighbourhood in a seaside holiday spot whose heyday was before I was born. I do suspect it’s a kid. Doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be arrested though.
I came back to Birch Bay in March. But I was born in L.A., lived there for 18 years, and in L.A. County for 11 years before that. My car was broken into twice, and robbed (unlocked, while I was in a convenience store outside of EAFB) once.
Anyway, I have a good indoor location for a security camera. Even if the thief sees it he’ll already be recorded coming into the driveway.