# Will this devolve in to widespread looting/home invasions? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [March 23, 2020, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103 "2020-03-23T16:42:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/41 "2020-03-25T08:28:40Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > I wonder what effect this will have on porch pirates (people who cruise neighborhoods to steal packages from their front steps). > > On the one hand, more people are home. On the other hand, people are not going outdoors, so unless the delivery person rings the doorbell you won’t know it’s been left. On the gripping hand, maybe the porch pirates are being good citizens and staying home too. Haven’t seen a single report of one on my neighborhood watch group. I think people being home definitely has an effect plus fairly empty sidewalks (and I’m in Chicago with heavy pedestrian traffic) helps. Let’s see what happens as people start ordering more as they get bored and stuff like game systems have a good resale value. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/42 "2020-03-25T20:42:38Z")
> [@Carryon](#): > > There are already a lot of news stories about people wearing masks for robberies and ATM break-ins. > > There’s a scam where people are knocking on doors (usually elderly) claiming to be from the health department, then robbing them.[…] That has been reported in Germany as well. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/43 "2020-03-25T20:44:44Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > […] > I wonder if the lockdowns and travel restrictions affect the flow of illegal drugs? If so, I would expect an uptick in crime as some more desperate addicts have to find ways to pay increased prices. Just a guess though, I have no real information on this. In Europe the prices of drugs have risen, especially in prisons. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2020, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/44 "2020-03-25T21:32:31Z")
They’re reporting a big drop in crime in the Bay Area. > **[Law Enforcement Sees a Drop in Crime During Coronavirus Pandemic](https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/south-bay/law-enforcement-sees-a-drop-in-crime-during-coronavirus-pandemic/2260998/)** > > If there is any silver lining to the shelter-at-home order, it appears there’s a drop in crime. But fewer criminals doesn’t necessarily mean a safer day at work for law enforcement.  The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday that... ---
**Author:** ![MarvinKitFox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ba0ec/32.png) [@MarvinKitFox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarvinKitFox)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2020, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/45 "2020-03-26T06:18:51Z")
Initially, crime will drop like a rock. (excluding cybercrime, of course) With homes full of people, burglars will be wary of entering. With businesses and streets virtually deserted, anyone driving a van and loading stuff up is going to get a LOT of scrutiny from security/cops. Even more so someone totin’ a tv down empty main street. And stuff like pickpocketing should reach an all-time low. Of course, if the sheeple get restless, due to this thing going on too long and supplies running out, then Watch Out. Desperate sheeple turn into riotous mobs very, very easily. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/46 "2020-03-29T15:40:09Z")
> [@RioRico](#): > > We should see a surge in sales of QUARANTINE signs to be placed as intruder deterrents. That beats a SOLICITORS WILL BE FED TO ZOMBIES sign. But skip doorbell cams - they deter few. Well, a nearby guy captured images of five mountain lions at his porch. Maybe this is the sign to post: > > - PUMA FEEDING STATION \* > RUN! THEY LIKE TO CHASE I read of a guy hawking low-cost security systems. One was a note on the door: Stan, DO NOT GO INSIDE! The mountain lion got loose somehow. I’ll be back with animal control. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/47 "2020-03-29T17:04:07Z")
> [@pullin](#): > > The UN thinks [crime will increase](https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/frontpage/2012/February/economic-crises-can-trigger-rise-in-crime.html) due to economic effects of the virus. > > Members of an LEO forum I lurk on are reporting noticeable increases in B&E of businesses, and of car break ins. But it’s not universal (some officers noticing no change at all). My local neighborhood groups aren’t reporting any increases. > > I wonder if the lockdowns and travel restrictions affect the flow of illegal drugs? If so, I would expect an uptick in crime as some more desperate addicts have to find ways to pay increased prices. Just a guess though, I have no real information on this. I haven’t been to work in 5 days so my data is old. We saw an increase of car burglaries but nothing else. It was all confined to one area of town so it’s suspected to just be one or two guys doing it. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2020, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/48 "2020-03-29T21:05:20Z")
Sheriff logs in my little rural county show more DUI’s, about the usual in home abuse, and a shoplifter. Quiet here. ---
**Author:** ![skdo23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@skdo23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skdo23)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2020, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103/49 "2020-03-30T00:25:29Z")
Not quite what the OP was asking, but still a bit disturbing. **Armed vigilantes blocked a neighbor’s driveway with a tree to force him into quarantine.** > **[Armed vigilantes blocked a neighbor's driveway with a tree to force him into...](https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/29/us/maine-coronavirus-forced-quarantine-trnd/index.html)** > > A Maine man said armed neighbors descended on his home and chopped down a tree to block his driveway and prevent him from leaving because they believed he has coronavirus. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-this-devolve-in-to-widespread-looting-home-invasions/850103.md?page=2)