what do about about crap being stolen from yard and cars?

[snagglepuss]

i live in a decent place in historic old downtown district that is unfortunately situated against a much lower socio-economic neighborhood.

we have a big back yard that is fenced in. there is an alley that runs behind our house that connects to our back parking area behind the house.

over the last month or so there has been some minor theft incidents.

-lawnmower stolen from backyard. other crap stolen.
-roommates car window broken and car broken into.
-neighbors car window broken and broken into.
-i keep my doors unlocked and nothing of value in my car so i wouldn't have to deal with broken glass. last week my car was rummaged through and some minor items and change stolen and whatnot.
-other roommates car broken into.

it isn't that big of a deal because there hasn't been anything really valuable stolen or serious property damage. so of course we haven't done anything about it.

but it is pretty infuriating.

we have jokingly discussed staking everything out one night sitting on the roof of our house drinking beer with some guns. obviously not the smartest of ideas, right?

but what can we do? it pisses me off that there doesn't really seem like anything we can do to cease this petty crime.

any ideas?

[punkass]

[ QUOTE ]
we have jokingly discussed staking everything out one night sitting on the roof of our house drinking beer with some guns. obviously not the smartest of ideas, right?

[/ QUOTE ]

sounds good to me.
your subject title is annoying.

Leaving your car unlocked for fear of having your windows broken is a crappy reason.

[His Boy Elroy]

Best thread title ever?

[Audrey Hepburn]

[ QUOTE ]
historic old downtown district that is unfortunately situated against a much lower socio-economic neighborhood.

[/ QUOTE ]

This must be the most convoluted way of saying something that can be summed up with a simple picture:

[snagglepuss]

i thought the leaving the car doors unlocked is a good idea? i mean, there is nothing i keep in there of value that can be stolen. it keeps me from having to deal with the headache of a broken window should someone choose to break in. which they have done in the past to other cars.

the only drawback i can see to the door unlocked method is that someone could be pissed about no valuables, and poop on the dashboard or pee on my seat.

[FortunaMaximus]

Stress-free solution: Barbed wire fencing. Resasonably cheap.

Also reasonably cheap: Get a few Dobermans.

Most entertaining solution: Get a few dishonorably dischagred military types to sit in your backyard.

Otherwise, get a gun, Annie!

[snagglepuss]

haha wow. i had no clue what you all were talking about with regard to the thread title after re-reading it a few times.

obviously supposed to be: "what to do about crap being stolen from yard and cars". i won't edit it though because it is so dumb.

[snagglepuss]

i have thought about putting loaded high-power mousetraps (beartraps?) under the seats. but i think that could possibly greatly increase the likelihood of them pooping on the dashboard, or spite-breaking my windshield or keying the hood.

[rwanger]

I like staking out and shooting them with a bb gun.

Or paintballs.

[Warik]

Get one of those car alarms that have a pager with a 1 mile radius. When it goes off and wakes you up in the middle of the night, just come out with a sword and start hacking [censored] up.