I hate thieves & my sign that flashes STEAL FROM ME

[J.J.]

While reading on this board.. I hear a loud noise outside. I was thinking darn Armadillo's again. So I step outside to smoke a cig a few minutes later thinking nothing of it.

As soon as I step onto the porch of my apt I notice a HUGE Empty spot where my $200 bicycle was hanging (locked up with a 1inch braided steel rubber coated chain.)
Immediately I call the police and file a report, I can't find the serial # (its here somewhere...) so little chance of me getting this thing back.

This is not the first time I have had such bad luck, I have had this apt. broken into while i was at work, about a year ago... Maybe 7 months (PSII stolen, all of my CD's, some DVD’s, etc.) At about 9pm someone had figured out my schedule...

I have had my car broken into 3 times, once at 12noon broad daylight in a well used parking lot .

As the years progress (I am only 22) these things get more and more brazen.. I mean Heck I was reading posts with the lights on in my apt. The bike hung just outside my window where my computer sits. They had to have seen my silhouette. I am scared one of these days they will try something while I am sitting inside.

I do own a pistol (Springfield XD in .40s&w) and have now realized that as soon as I get the money a CCW is going to be purchased. This gun is going with me wherever I am in the APT from now ON! When I am on the computer it shall be in the drawer.. when I sleep it shall be beside the bed when I take a shower, y'all get the idea.
__________
*So I ask how else I can stop/protect myself from thieves.

*What can I do to turn the flashing neon lighted sign off that seems to hang off everything I own and repeats the message "EASY TARGET, STEAL ME YOU WON'T GET CAUGHT!"

*Tomorrow I am going to call into work (good reason) and finish cataloging and engraving everything i own.

ALL SUGGESTIONS WELCOMED, because I can’t study or sleep right now… my mind is just going too fast.

 

[Phyphor]

Just be glad you're not in Cali?

er...ok, Bro, that came out wrong.



At least you're in a state that MIGHT understand if you have to defend yourself.....

So, any other Highroaders have some insight on this? At the moment,
I can't think of to say....

 

[444]

Yeah, I had my last motorcycle stolen while I was sleeping 10 feet away (in the house). I had a mountain bike stolen. I had everything in my pickup stolen including a bunch of bannas and a box of cinnimon rolls. I had my house broken into. I had another pickup truck broken into. I had all my personal belongings including my wallet, checkbook, and the book I was currently reading stolen out of an ambulance parked at an ER. I had all my personal stuff taken out of my workplace when we forgot to make sure the door was locked when we left.

But, this stuff only happens on TV, right ?
We don't need to defend ourselves, right ?
Shooting in defense of your property isn't right, is it ?


My dog doesn't buy in to any of this kindler, gentler crap. The last time my truck was broken into, and the time my house was broken in to. He didn't feel the need to call anybody, and certainly didn't feel any need to coddle them. He left them running off into the night spraying blood everywhere. The way he sees it, it is his den, his territory, and his property. Therefore, he takes care of any problems. And, if anybody wants some more, he will be here all day.

 

[Sylvilagus Aquaticus]

By chance do you live in the fine Peoples Socialist Collective of Austin?

You could always hire a homeless person to watch your stuff, but that'd take away from the amount of dole they get. I'd suggest a Krypton lock for your next bike. Attached to the collar of a mastiff.

You might also consider putting a motion sensor activated porch light by your door, pointing onto your porch. Cockroaches hate light.

I prefer the direct approach, myself. I have a sign that says "Steal here- Die here' in my front window.

Regards,
Rabbit.

 

[J.J.]

Actaully San Marcos, AND THE PORCH LIGHT IS ON as well as the light on the side and back of the apt.. this place is LIGHT UP because of my last problem with ROACHES...

GRRR :banghead:

Edit: and in the parkinglot (i live in a little 4plex).. as I said BRAZEN

 

[pistolwhipped]

Hmmm last week I awoke to the sound of the fence rattling outside my window. Thinking it was some of the rather large cats that we have in the hood , I sat up to yell "scat" before the caterwauling started. Before I could yell I realized it was a rather large man going into my back yard. I made no sound. Grabbed the night table G23 and Surefire and was in the back yard in 30 seconds. Nothing...no one. Just passing through I guess. At two in the morning.

 

[Billy Sparks]

444 Said:

I had all my personal belongings including my wallet, checkbook, and the book I was currently reading stolen out of an ambulance parked at an ER. I had all my personal stuff taken out of my workplace when we forgot to make sure the door was locked when we left

And I thought it was bad when I got my shoes stolen at the scene of a school bus wreck.

The stuff about dogs is right mine are the sweetest dogs in the world (unless you are a possum, killed 1 and treed[sp] 1 in the last week alone) and if you bring them a hotdog they would probably help you carry the stuff out but they sound horrible. No more problems around the house.

 

[RustyHammer]

Sounds like time to move!

 

[TarpleyG]

Hang up something like this on your door. Should get someone's attention.

 

[mattd]

I'm guessing its someone you know. But robbers don't wait around to figure out a schedule, they just have 1 guy or girl knock on your door, see if anyone is home then if its clear , a few people get out of the car around the corner and kick in your door.

Keep the porch door locked or Get a hidden camera system so it records who is coming on your porch. If you don't want to catch them, leave the tv on day and night.

 

[gun-fucious]

a motion dectector that activates when someone walks on the porch will
A) in most cases, make them leave if they are nefarious
B) alert you that someone is there

a buddy had a Thule rack lifted
right of his station wagon in his driveway
a week after it was installed

someone obviously decided the effort/gain ratio was optimal

if someone really wants your stuff
they will acquire it
unless the e/g ratio looks less optimal than somewhere else

 

[Daniel T]

By chance do you live in the fine Peoples Socialist Collective of Austin?

What would that have to do with anything? Last time I checked, Austin is in Texas and is subject to state law. Plus, crime is way lower here than in most other large cities in Texas, including that conservative bastion known as Dallas. So what's your point?

 

[Sisco]

Couple of years ago some young punk stole our car right out of our garage, while the wife & I were home!
She heard the car start up and looked into the garage, punk stared back at her and backed out. Got the car back undamaged a couple of days later, everything from the glovebox and trunk was missing.
Daughers car has had the stereo stolen twice, windows on her car & my pickup broken out.
Live in a real rough neighborhood I guess. City Managers house is down the street, chief of police is around the corner. Mayor lives across the alley from me.

 

[HankB]

What would that have to do with anything? Last time I checked, Austin is in Texas and is subject to state law.

A couple years ago there was a case in Austin where a CHL holder shot a guy who'd broken into his girlfriend's truck. The Grand Jury wanted to "no bill" him, but Austin's DA told them he'd KEEP them in session until they indicted. And at the trial, he made a personal appearance on behalf of the prosecution to convict the guy.

And he mouthed off to the media about how unhappy he was that the shooter was promptly acquitted by the jury. So even though TX state law applies, local policy seems to be to make things as unpleasant as possible for someone who shoots a bad guy.

Such are the politics of Austin, aka "Moscow on the Colorado."

 

[jthuang]

1. Bike:

I was in the bike safety program during college. Get your SSN engraved on your bike, but the best thing you can do is to buy a quality U-lock. Don't get the standard Kryptonite, get the Evo 2000 or the NYC lock. Any perp with a long steel pipe can defeat the standard U-lock.

You may cringe at buying a $70 lock for a $200 bike. First, if your bike is stolen, it's gonna cost you more than the lock.

But second, inquire at your local university to see whether they have a bike safety program. In my school's program, we sold U-locks at cost. You could buy a Krypto Evolution 2000 (the most modern at the time -- NYC lock was not available) for $35 ... street price was $70-80. We sold to students and locals alike.

If you can, park your bike inside. Parking your bike outside is just an invitation to have it stolen or vandalized. Sometimes people will mess with your bike even if they can't steal it.

Case in point ... in college some goblin cut all the cables (brake, shifters, etc) on my Trek 930 because he couldn't steal it. Being the head of the bike program, I had my bike locked down with Krypto Evo 2000 locks and anti-theft seat bolt. Didn't stop him from cutting my cables. You can PM me if you want to hear the story about how someone slashed my motorcycle cover. Or the time someone stuck a 10" dead rat under my cycle cover.

Don't have space to bring your bike inside? They sell hangers for bikes -- if you remember Seinfeld, his Klein mountain bike was on one of those hangers. Great for those who live in apartments.

Secure both wheels (buy two u-locks, especially if you have quick-release wheels) and your seat bolt (if you have a quick release seat).

2. Home:

a. Leave the radio on when you leave the house. Tune to a talk radio station and leave the volume just high enough such that a person outside your main door can hear it.

b. Buy a programmable timer and put at least one light (in view of a window) on it. The better timers vary with each day of the week. You can get one at Sears.

c. Dog ... as mentioned above. That is if your building allows them.

d. Strike plate on your door. This is a metal plate that encircles the deadbolt (you have one of those, right?) that hardens the lock against being punched through the door.

I'm assuming you have a good door -- not one of those hollow core wood doors. I'm also assuming you have a good frame around your door. No deadbolt will help you without these two critical items.

e. Motion sensor lights outside your home ... you already have this.

f. Get rid of bushes around your home that provide cover for BGs. If you must have bushes, try thorny ones.

3. Car:

Don't leave anything in sight. Seriously. A buddy had his car busted into for a stick of gum he left on the dash.

You may be saying there's no way I can leave my car totally empty. Your solution is one of those passenger-seat cargo holders that the cops use. Put your CDs, cellphone handfree unit, radar detector and other large items into the holder and take it with you when you go in your house. Change and other small items can go into the arm-rest storage facility ... but keep everything out of sight. Galls.com sells the cargo holder in question.

4. General:

Mark MacYoung's book "Safe in the City" has some tips on fortifying your home, but deals mostly with street safety. Not a bad read in any event.

Justin

 

[redneck2]

FWIW...

places like "Cheaper than Dirt" have motion activated alarms. You can adjust the sensitivity

You can get the cameras at Home Depot, Lowe's that have a dedicated TV for a little over $100

Not trying to be a smarta**, but I'd think real hard about getting out of there. Guess I'm spoiled as I live in a relatively crime free (if there is such a thing) in a rural area.

If I caught somebody stealing something of mine, I'd probably open up with the Glock 20. Not saying it's legal, but I have a real, real hard time with thieves taking something I worked for.

 

[BHPshooter]

Not saying it's legal, but I have a real, real hard time with thieves taking something I worked for.

I hear ya, brother.

Sorry to hear about that J.J. Too bad you couldn't catch the fiends.

Wes

 

[Standing Wolf]

...have now realized that as soon as I get the money a CCW is going to be purchased...

If 'twere me, I'd beg, borrow, or hit Visa for a cash advance to raise the money needed.

 

[AZLibertarian]

...have now realized that as soon as I get the money a CCW is going to be purchased...

I realize you're in Texas and have the right to defend your property, but do you really want to shoot someone over a stolen bike? I know it's your stuff, and there have been good suggestions on how you might protect it. I've never looked at my gun as a tool to prevent theft. It's there to protect life.

 

[J.J.]

AZLibertarian:
No but I realized that if they are brave enough to steal a bicycle that is just locked up and hanging just outside the window I am facing. I am afraid that these people will take the next step and come into my apt (again) but this time when I am in it. So what better protection for me than to have a gun on me at all times?

I don’t want to walk in at midnight or 1 a.m. to people who obviously come prepared taking everything I own. If I did I would have to hope I can run and get the pistol from where it is hidden before I got hurt.

These people came prepared with a large set of bolt cutters; this was a thick and heavy braided steel wire with a thick plastic coating. I see where they couldn't cut through it a couple times before they used the pillar as a leverage tool (which created a large U shaped indention is in the wood.)

I mean HELL as I said before the sad thing is ALL the outside lights where on. The porch light (bike was hanging on porch and illuminated by the porch light.) A security light on the side of the building and a light in the back of the building where they rode it off.

 

[benEzra]

Get your SSN engraved on your bike

I wouldn't recommend it these days. Your SSN is worth more to a crook with a brain than your bike is.

You might be better to engrave a nickname or a phrase or something, or make up a serial number and engrave it somewhere it won't be noticed. The idea is to be able to positively ID it.

 

[ysr_racer]

but do you really want to shoot someone over a stolen bike...

If I lived in TX and you stole my bike, sure. You made the choice, not me.