# Your reaction to cops "helpfully" locking your car door? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133 "2021-09-22T19:55:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/1 "2021-09-22T19:55:56Z")
Found this on a police Facebook page. I don’t want to link to it since I’m not trying to start somethin’. [![](https://i.ibb.co/CQD85WT/We-Locked-Them-For-You.png) ](https://i.ibb.co/CQD85WT/We-Locked-Them-For-You.png) I gave them my opinion, which is that I’ll treat any cop I find tampering with my vehicle the same way I’ll treat anybody else I find tampering with my vehicle. Wondering what your thoughts are on the matter and whether this sort of thing goes on in your area. ---
**Author:** ![mikecurtis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikecurtis/32/3284_2.png) [@mikecurtis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mikecurtis)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/2 "2021-09-22T20:24:56Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > the same way I’ll treat anybody else I find tampering with my vehicle. Which is…? Ice cream and cake? Shotgun blast to the rear? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/3 "2021-09-22T20:25:23Z")
I can see it both ways. I can imagine (rare) situations where someone would want/need to leave their car unlocked, and it would seriously mess them up if someone came along and locked it. But I can also imagine plenty of people who would genuinely be helped by what the cops were doing. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/4 "2021-09-22T20:31:05Z")
Um, just no! I learned the hard way, if you don’t have anything in your car worth stealing, don’t lock it! This after having my window busted out only to find the would be thieves didn’t take anything. Also, how do the cops know there isn’t something wrong with my lock and I keep it unlocked to keep from locking myself out? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/5 "2021-09-22T20:31:47Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > I can see it both ways. I can imagine (rare) situations where someone would want/need to leave their car unlocked, and it would seriously mess them up if someone came along and locked it. But I can also imagine plenty of people who would genuinely be helped by what the cops were doing. I’m sure they thought they were helping, but that ain’t the way to do it. You don’t just open somebody’s car door and start messing with their stuff. It puts the cops in physical danger, it exposes them to criminal and civil suits, and it erodes trust between law enforcement and the community. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/6 "2021-09-22T20:32:20Z")
> [@mikecurtis](#): > > > [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > > > the same way I’ll treat anybody else I find tampering with my vehicle. > > Which is…? Ice cream and cake? Shotgun blast to the rear? I left it vague so that they could draw multiple conclusions. I don’t believe that they’ll think of ice cream first. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/7 "2021-09-22T20:34:59Z")
You left it vague so that you could imply a threat without actually stating it and then be called on it. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/8 "2021-09-22T20:36:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You left it blank so that you could imply a threat without actually stating it and then be called on it. I didn’t leave it blank, I left it vague. Words matter. They can call me on it if they want to, I’m in the right both morally and legally, and there’s not jack-shit they can do about it. But like I said, I believe that they thought they were being helpful. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/9 "2021-09-22T20:40:17Z")
Keep your damn hands off of my property, regardless of your intent. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/10 "2021-09-22T20:54:06Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > They can call me on it if they want to, I’m in the right both morally and legally, and there’s not jack-shit they can do about it. If by “they” you mean the mods, I think you will find that there is indeed jack-shit they can do if they so choose. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/11 "2021-09-22T20:56:59Z")
I pretty clearly meant the cops. Do you have an opinion on the questions raised in the OP? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/12 "2021-09-22T20:58:59Z")
I am wondering exactly what your plan would be. Are you saying you would call the cops on the cops? Beat the crap out of the cops? Shoot the cops? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/13 "2021-09-22T21:02:23Z")
Those are the main things that I wanted the cops to think about, yes. But also, I’ll call my lawyer! and I’m going to have a talk with your supervisor! I have had a bunch of cops around my vehicle shining lights inside. When I caught them, I asked them, “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” When they couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer, they got a tongue-lashing. But I’m more interested in what you think of cops locking your car door and whether such happens in your area. ---
**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:** [September 22, 2021, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/14 "2021-09-22T21:08:51Z")
FWIW, in Germany it is forbidden to park your car unlocked. The reason stated in the law is that you have the duty to protect your car against unlawful use by strangers. The penalty is 15 €, but it can become more expensive if the cops decide the right way to secure your car is not to lock it but to tow it to a secure location. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/15 "2021-09-22T21:11:08Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I learned the hard way, if you don’t have anything in your car worth stealing, don’t lock it! This after having my window busted out only to find the would be thieves didn’t take anything. Around here we have homeless that wander, looking for unlocked cars and a minor theft or two. So far, I have no read any reports of them breaking windows and the Sheriffs have said to lock our cars. As for the OP- Not something I’d ask for, but I would not get mad. Kinda “meh”. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/16 "2021-09-22T21:13:34Z")
> [@GreysonCarlisle](#): > > But I’m more interested in what you think of cops locking your car door I am pretty securely apathetic on the issue. ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/17 "2021-09-22T21:14:28Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > I learned the hard way, if you don’t have anything in your car worth stealing, don’t lock it! This after having my window busted out only to find the would be thieves didn’t take anything. I’ve heard that, but I never paid it any attention. But then a lot of replies in the FB post were saying exactly that–take anything valuable with you, then leave the car unlocked. At least you won’t get a busted window. > [@](#): > > Also, how do the cops know there isn’t something wrong with my lock and I keep it unlocked to keep from locking myself out? The oldest boy’s first car was that way. The driver’s side door didn’t open at all, and the passenger’s side door couldn’t be unlocked from the outside. To get in or out, he had to crawl over the center console–and he’s 6’5"! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/18 "2021-09-22T21:20:15Z")
How did they even know that the cars were unlocked? Is it standard police procedure to attempt to gain entry to every car they encounter? Isn’t it, in fact, explicitly illegal for them to do that? ---
**Author:** ![GreysonCarlisle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a87d85/32.png) [@GreysonCarlisle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreysonCarlisle)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/19 "2021-09-22T21:21:49Z")
Another question I had. If they reply to that post, I’ll ask them. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2021, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133/20 "2021-09-22T21:36:36Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Are you saying you would call the cops on the cops? My ex-FIL owned an auto parts business. He liked to drive fast and absolutely _hated_ the police and their “artificially low speed limits”. Dude got lots of tickets. The parking lot at his business had the standard signage about “parking for customers only, cars towed by xyz towing”. On a couple of occasions he called his local police to enforce his towing signage, on PA State Police cars that were using radar for speed enforcement. He called the towing company as well, creating awkward situations for everyone but him. Local newspaper did at story on it, on his suggestion. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-reaction-to-cops-helpfully-locking-your-car-door/951133.md?page=2)