boat broken into by thief

[patrick and linda]

So, Monday I received a call from Lakeview storage, located in Somerset ky, that a thief broke into my storage unit as well as into my boat. I have damage to my boat and loss of a number of items, including my Honda 2000 watt generator. I won't turn this in to insurance, not worth the risk of losing policy, looking at around $2000 thus far. i will not grant this thief the power to upset me for one moment. I will repair the damage and purchase new items and forget this had ever happened. The thieves will think about their misbehavior the rest of their miserable lives.

 

[thataway]

Sorry to hear about the loss. We have had RV's broken into and stolen. I always reported the damage, and lost items to my insurer (USAA). No increase of premiums. It did make us rethink some of our security measures. A simple alarm is easy and cheap to make. This often will discourage thefts.

Also put an identifying character on each of your possessions with one of the metal engravers (put in a series of dots in plastic or metal in an inconspicuous place)--make a record and photo of this--makes it easier for police to find and ID your objects when they are sold.

Hopefully the law enforcement agencies will find these scum bags, and arrest them. You might also talk to the storage facility and see if they can increase their security with cameras and alarms.

Unfortunately many of these have a life long history. We caught one guy in our neighborhood. He had been out of prison for about 2 weeks before his first hit. (We did not catch him, but got a video of his truck)--the second time he was caught, and sent away for 15 years. He had 40 felony charges on record in our county alone. An older retired deputy who I know told me he first arrested this scum when he was 13 years old--so there are more records than are in the public domain. Often these thefts are related to drugs. Don't let them get away with it!

 

[BrentB]

I feel your pain and dislike deadbeat thieves.

Picture this. Years sgo our garage was broken into and thieves took mutiple items including a 15hp Johnson OB. Later the same week, I found it for sale at a local boat dealer and called the police who confiscated it the same day. A salesman was charged with conversion but the case fell apart after 2 court appearances, and I was able to retrieve it from the property room located in the basement of Indy City County buidling after leaving the 4th countroom the same day. I went to the property room and retrieved the OB but the storage and wheeled cart which was stolen but not recovered, I carried (Armstrong method, OB was a long shaft with electric start and weighed 90lbs) down the hallway, rode the elevator up to the ground floor, and proceeded to the nearest exit which was a revolving door. By this time, both arms were tried from back and forth using one arm until it hurt then trading to the other, I just gave it my best bear hug and walked through the doors. I estimate 100 peope stopped what they were doing to watch me carry it through the court house and to my truck about 2 blocks away and I still have this OB and use it today and we call it Lucky. Maybe your property will be recovered it too


We always file a police report and decide case by case whether to file an insurance claim

m2cw is with the constant adversting by the major insurance companies in all of the mass markets, finding a new insurance company is an easy process and in our experience, lower premiums with equal or better coverage

 

[B~C]

damn, I'll stop bitchin about cats now

 

[ssobol]

Isn't there some liability on the part of the storage facility if their units get broken into? Perhaps their insurance will help you out.

 

[RobMcClain]

Is there such a thing as a battery operated portable alarm system for a boat? Since we will be leaving boat and car for a month at a time as we do our East Coast cruise, I was curious about the recent post by Dr Bob about a simple alarm system? It needs to last a long time off our two house batteries or some kind of supplemental battery.

Maybe I should just put decals on!

 

[redbaronace]

Is there such a thing as a battery operated portable alarm system for a boat? Since we will be leaving boat and car for a month at a time as we do our East Coast cruise, I was curious about the recent post by Dr Bob about a simple alarm system? It needs to last a long time off our two house batteries or some kind of supplemental battery.

Maybe I should just put decals on!

The blinking light might also be a deterrent even before they break the window or begin prying on the door.

I remember times when the cost of repairs was greater than the value of what was stolen.

We have employed alarms with good success. We might look into one for the boat as cheap insurance.

 

[patrick and linda]

Some great ideas. I will install an alarm system on our boat. No, the storage facility isn't responsible as they did nothing wrong. 8 years ago I processed a lightning stick that caused $10,000 in damage so right now my policies loss ratio is about even. Not going to risk a cancellation, then mess up my umbrella and so forth. There is a pain threshold where I would submit a claim but not sure where that level is for now. Numbering items with some form of engraving is excellent idea, one that i've known about for years but to lazy to employ. Go figure! Thanks for the responses.

 

[dotnmarty]

I won't turn this in to insurance, not worth the risk of losing policy, looking at around $2000 thus far.

Sorry to hear about the breakin. I don't understand why making a claim can result in losing coverage. That doesn't seem right to me.

 

[thataway]

Here is the system I had used--don't have it with me currently. Total cost was about $80 when I first made last demo unit. I got a 12 volt siren from J C Whitney. A roller type micro switch from Radio Shack, and 12 volt relay from an auto parts store. I make a little wedge (3/4" wide and 3" long) out of one of the yellow plastic spreaders one uses for Bondo or epoxy fairing compound. Tapered edge in one end, holds the roller type of micro switch, open, as it is either attached behind a gunnel, or to a support which holds the roller micro switch--the plastic wedge keeps the micro switch "open". There is a piece of 40 lb monofiliment to the hole in the other side of the wedge is strung over the cockpit or to what you are trying to protect. If the monofiliment is pulled, the wedge comes out allowing the microswitch to close, this sends a low amp current to the 12 volt Relay. The relay closes (carry higher amp current to the Siren) and sets off the 120 dB siren--loud enough to scare aware any but the most determined. Power supply--can be your 12 volt batteries. I have two 6 volt lantern batteries duct taped together, they are good for at least half an hour of alarm. I have had the same two lantern batteries in the "demo" unit for over 6 years and they still work fine.

Again--I don't have a photo, or the part numbers here in the Keys, but could look up some if folks wanted to make an alarm. You can find many buzzers and other low amp sirens/strobe lights etc--which can be handled by the micro switch alone. I wanted something really loud so went with the siren.

 

[BrentB]

My father in law lived with us for several years before he passed. Before he moved in, we converted the basement to an apartment with a fireplace. He had dementia but was still active. We used pressure sensitve mats (Harbor Freight, $10) to alert us at night if he was planning to take a walk about.

Later we used them in the boat cockpit and cabin under a light throw rug as a low tech security aid and then activated, the alarm sounded like a smoke detector. very very loud sound
Of course, good neighbors and a good dog work too

sorry for your lost
best

 

[Foggy]

Bob has the recommended* deterrent for thieves. They hate light (being seen) and noise.

* Annapolis safety at Sea Seminar, circa 1980s

Aye.

 

[JimTid]

You should not fear that your policy will be canceled for making a claim. The purpose of insurance is to help you recover from the unexpected. You pay for the protection and transfer the risk of loss to the insurance company in exchange for the premium. Before you initiate the claim you should read your policy to determine if the stolen items are covered by the insurance agreement. The portable generator may not be covered by the boat policy because it is not permanently installed . Personal property, like a generator is probably covered by your homeowners policy. The policy may be hard to interpret so rely on your agent to help you sort it out. If you don't trust your insurance company to protect your interest you should cancel them.

 

[localboy]

The thieves will think about their misbehavior the rest of their miserable lives.

Don't mean to burst your bubble...but I have been in LE for over 18 yrs, the last one as a detective. IMO most thieves don't give a rat's ass about how you feel or the effects their criminal activity has on you or anyone else. They only care about themselves; they are evil, selfish and lack empathy. Some I've charged have even bragged about their exploits or had the audacity to consider their thieving as their "work". They will sell your property for 10 cents on the dollar or trade it for dope. They will never have even a tinge of guilt or regret. Their only regret is getting caught and sentenced aka held responsible. But they know that in this once great nation, their acts of cowardice are no big deal. They'll go to jail or prison, make new friends/contacts then come out and start it all over again. It's merely an inconvenience to most. They'll apply for & receive their food stamps, "free" Obama-phones, and medical etc and enjoy their dope in the apt/house you paid for....and the dope they bought was with YOUR stuff....just telling it like I see it daily.

As to deterrence, my advice is this; make it as hard as possible so they go an pick on/steal from someone ELSE. Don't leave stuff in your boat, car, truck etc. Lock your stuff up when possible. Engrave your DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER and a phone number on everything of value. Take digital photos and keep good records of serial numbers. model numbers etc. Get a house alarm. Get a GOOD safe. DON'T BE AN EASY VICTIM!

Another trick, new thing is this http://www.copdots.com/. We have begun looking into this product and it appears pretty handy for LE. But the more people that use it, the better. Is it fool-proof? No. Nothing is. One more thing. Support your local LE and demand that those that make laws provide funding to ENFORCE those laws. We can only do what we can do and the revolving door of prison has to stop.

One more thing; If someone breaks into my house while I'm home...they are leaving in a body bag.

That is all....

 

[haliman]

The thieves will think about their misbehavior the rest of their miserable lives.

Don't mean to burst your bubble...but I have been in LE for over 18 yrs, the last one as a detective. IMO most thieves don't give a rat's ass about how you feel or the effects their criminal activity has on you or anyone else. They only care about themselves; they are evil, selfish and lack empathy. Some I've charged have even bragged about their exploits or had the audacity to consider their thieving as their "work". They will sell your property for 10 cents on the dollar or trade it for dope. They will never have even a tinge of guilt or regret. Their only regret is getting caught and sentenced aka held responsible. But they know that in this once great nation, their acts of cowardice are no big deal. They'll go to jail or prison, make new friends/contacts then come out and start it all over again. It's merely an inconvenience to most. They'll apply for & receive their food stamps, "free" Obama-phones, and medical etc and enjoy their dope in the apt/house you paid for....and the dope they bought was with YOUR stuff....just telling it like I see it daily.

As to deterrence, my advice is this; make it as hard as possible so they go an pick on/steal from someone ELSE. Don't leave stuff in your boat, car, truck etc. Lock your stuff up when possible. Engrave your DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER and a phone number on everything of value. Take digital photos and keep good records of serial numbers. model numbers etc. Get a house alarm. Get a GOOD safe. DON'T BE AN EASY VICTIM!

Another trick, new thing is this http://www.copdots.com/. We have begun looking into this product and it appears pretty handy for LE. But the more people that use it, the better. Is it fool-proof? No. Nothing is. One more thing. Support your local LE and demand that those that make laws provide funding to ENFORCE those laws. We can only do what we can do and the revolving door of prison has to stop.

One more thing; If someone breaks into my house while I'm home...they are leaving in a body bag.

That is all....

WELL SAID!!!!!

 

[anchorout]

You are dead on. If I catch someone breaking into my home (I live in the country) only the squirrels will know where their body is buried. One less welfare bum I have to support.

 

[texasair]

I have owned a small a small boat storage facility for over 20 years.
We get hit occasionally.

We have never had a boat or trailer stolen.

But have had batteries, fishing equipment, kicker motors, tools, etc stolen.

Bottom line is if it is big and hard to move, its theft value is less.

Smaller easy to carry items, take home with you.

 

[Foggy]

SNIP

One more thing; If someone breaks into my house while I'm home...they are leaving in a body bag.

That is all....

Whooa! Kill a person over theft! Not so fast...

It's OK to pound your chest and let everyone know how you stand on this but I'm afraid you've given an incomplete, brief and dangerous scenario.

I know the phrase, "Your home is your castle", castle doctrine and all but my understanding is any person taking another's life while committing robbery in your home (or boat) without being in fear of your life may be in a world of misery with the law.

In other words, killing someone while committing robbery in your "castle" may not justify the taking of a life in the eyes of the law. Besides being in fear of your life, other important criteria apply before you should (or legally can) pull that trigger.

One needs to put a lot of forethought and study into this situation. It is not simple. Be smart.

Aye.

 

[Larry Patrick]

One time we just graduated,bought a conversion van,headed for construction boom in Texas. Stayed at a Holiday Inn ,only to find the next day,my birthday ,everything was gone ,tools,fishing and hunting gear,cameras ect. Cops said they look for outta state plates. With all the bad news, im sure glad there are still a lot of good people out there. Mostly hear about the bad, since traveling, when we can,we meet a lot nice people at campgrounds and rallies. As long as there are some spiritual people that believe in right and wrong there still remains hope for society. Even though its a all about me mentality that's becoming pervasive.

 

[thataway]

I e-mailed our community Liaison last night about CopDots. He has the same concern I have: It seems like it would be human resource intensive, our SO and PD, nor any of the adjacent jurisdictions use this technology. He felt that if there was universal use, and some fast way to scan for these very small tags, that it would be effective. Comments?

I also have some concern about putting my DL# and phone number on items. This is why I suggested a personal code. I understand the universal appeal of the searchable database, but also concern about putting more information out there for the crooks.

I also agree with Foggy. What you put on the internet may be there forever. If you make a threat--even in jest--on a public forum, it might come back to bite you at some point. If life is threatened--even with stand your ground laws, and Castle Doctrine you may have a justified self defense--but once that trigger is pulled, there may be serious consequences, unless you can prove that your life was threatened…. Just firing a warning shot, in many jurisdictions may get you in trouble.

Unfortunately some folks prefer the big items--in S. Florida many large and expensive trailerable boats are stolen, and many end up used in drug or human smuggling. We had a boat trailer stolen on our street several years ago--probably cut up for scrap. Even videos of the theft, and later videos of the same truck involved in a crime for which the perp was convicted, did not allow testimony on the boat trailer theft. We have had a 38 foot motor home stolen from a facility with fence, dogs, US sensors and cameras. They cut the chain link fence, drove the RV off, with jacks down--so there had to be a lot of noise, until the jacks retracted.