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0 pointsISL12y ago0 comments

After having my car stolen, and a bunch of stuff taken, I was surprised to find that ~25% of the folks I talked with about it had the same sentiment; that it's stupid to leave things in a car.

Where I grew up, everyone left stuff in cars. Nobody stole things. Worked great.

Why is it okay for people to steal stuff in cities, but not in small towns?

Do you take your car-fixing tools (~2 BTC, these days) out of your car every time you go into your house?

0 comments

HarryHirsch12y ago

> Why is it okay for people to steal stuff in cities, but not in small towns?

My explanation is that in cities there are more people living in a small space, there are simply more thieves in any given area, and also more opportunities for them.

However, those who leave stuff in cars create an ecosystem for thieves to operate in, and they should please stop doing so, giving opportunities to thieves may result in more thieves.

ISLOP12y ago

When my car was recovered, the responding officer showed no interest in fingerprinting the car, or really investigating at all.

We should expect, and be willing to pay for, better from our public services.

The cycle of moving mountaineering gear to and from my car solely to prevent theft uses up ~1/2 hr a week of my life, and provides utility to nobody.

I won't steal your stuff, even if you leave it in plain view in your car; it's yours. Please don't steal mine.

Looks like there's room for improvement in the US...

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_bur-crime-burglaries

Evbn12y ago

Does the gear fit in your trunk? Or are you an unfortunate soul with a hatchback?

2 more replies

meric12y ago

Do you at least hide the valuables in the car so you can't see them through the window?

ISLOP12y ago

I do now. It's hard to make it look like there's really nothing interesting in a wagon, especially if you'd like to stop in at a store/restaurant after a day in the mountains.

At best, there's a blanket over a pile of stuff that looks a lot like a pack and skis...

rdl12y ago

This is actually why I will only buy sedans or other cars with trunks (well, and the special legal protections trunks have vs. "accessible to driver" passenger compartments. Otherwise, I'd have an A3. Fortunately Audi is coming out with an S3 Sedan in 2014/2015.

1 more reply

enjo12y ago

I certainly do now. I was 22 when my first computer was stolen. Didn't really worry about it then.

deepdog12y ago

You don't have to not leave it in the car, you should just cover it up or hide it.

If you have a blanket in the trunk then hide your computer under it if you have to leave the car, or put it under the passenger's seat.

dredmorbius12y ago

Some equipment (e.g.: Bluetooth-enabled electronics) literally advertises its presence even when concealed. I've heard stories of thieves canvassing car parks in up-market areas with Bluetooth detectors and swiping Apple devices in particular.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

HarryHirsch12y ago

> Why is it okay for people to steal stuff in cities, but not in small towns?

My explanation is that in cities there are more people living in a small space, there are simply more thieves in any given area, and also more opportunities for them.

However, those who leave stuff in cars create an ecosystem for thieves to operate in, and they should please stop doing so, giving opportunities to thieves may result in more thieves.

ISLOP12y ago

When my car was recovered, the responding officer showed no interest in fingerprinting the car, or really investigating at all.

We should expect, and be willing to pay for, better from our public services.

The cycle of moving mountaineering gear to and from my car solely to prevent theft uses up ~1/2 hr a week of my life, and provides utility to nobody.

I won't steal your stuff, even if you leave it in plain view in your car; it's yours. Please don't steal mine.

Looks like there's room for improvement in the US...

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_bur-crime-burglaries

Evbn12y ago

Does the gear fit in your trunk? Or are you an unfortunate soul with a hatchback?

2 more replies

meric12y ago

Do you at least hide the valuables in the car so you can't see them through the window?

ISLOP12y ago

I do now. It's hard to make it look like there's really nothing interesting in a wagon, especially if you'd like to stop in at a store/restaurant after a day in the mountains.

At best, there's a blanket over a pile of stuff that looks a lot like a pack and skis...

rdl12y ago

1 more reply

enjo12y ago

I certainly do now. I was 22 when my first computer was stolen. Didn't really worry about it then.

deepdog12y ago

You don't have to not leave it in the car, you should just cover it up or hide it.

If you have a blanket in the trunk then hide your computer under it if you have to leave the car, or put it under the passenger's seat.

dredmorbius12y ago

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse