I hear that some people have to lock up everything. The TV is full of ads for Security systems, whats with that?
The only time I lock my truck is when my dog is inside. I don't even have a key to my shop.
ernie
Posted by Jill Marie Welsh (Member # 1912) on :
I do lock my truck ever since my sign kits were stolen. You should too Ernie. Love....Jill
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
If there is something valuable in the vehicle, I lock it. Otherwise no.
If someone wants to steal the vehicle or something in it, locks will only just slow them down momentarily. Locks just keep the honest folks honest.
Since our break-in a couple of years ago, we lock the house and shop whenever we leave the property. If we are out in the evening or overnight then the burglar alarm system gets armed too.
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
Ernie,
With all due respect, I can say that wasn't the smartest thing to do is announce that on a forum seen round the world. Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
Bob,
I figure the local criminals can't read anyway.
Dave is right locks don't matter when you have windows.
ernie
Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
I lock the front door on my house out of habit. The back door lock doesn't even work and it doesn't bother me. I'd rather tust my neighbors, not worry they're trying to rip me off. Plus, I have a theory, if somebody is up to no good and makes it all the way to my back door a piece of glass is not going to stop them from getting it open. At least that will be one less thing to have to replace.
I rarely lock my truck. I only do it if I'm leaving it somewhere for a long time that I'm not sure about. I think I locked it once back in June or July.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Years back come late spring when the gardens are starting to produce, folks would bring surplus to share to church Sunday mornings. As the seasons would progress, the table in the foyer became insufficient and soon there were boxes on the floor. Many of us that never lock our vehicles eventually found ourselves doing so as a means of preventing anyone from filling our cars with boxes of zucchini.
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
Did you hear about the Ugo that was broken into and they stole the club?
Posted by Stevo Chartrand (Member # 2094) on :
hahaha Bill! Yup I lock 'er up! Especially when you gotta leave it running in the cold.
Stevo
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
You non-lockers are overlooking an important detail. Take a wild guess how much your insurance carrier is obligated to pay to you if your UNLOCKED vehicle is stolen?
Answer: A calender at the beginning of the year and perhaps even a keychain, if they like you. Calenders are nice, keychains almost always suck.
It's not only a matter of slowing down criminals.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Don
With all due respect, if my keys are in the car or my house is unlocked, it's still my car or my house. My property, my insured possesion. I am sure you are right though, they would try to get out of paying, but, I doubt it would hold up in a court of law.
BUT WAIT! Maybe you are right. After all, nothing is anybodys fault anymore Now it's MY fault for leaving the door unlocked? Oh well. Hey! I have signs to make.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
dear mr pat whatley....leave all clipart disks at home on table tomorow...ill come by
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Not only do we have to lock our cars but I've been very, very upset for the past week that I've had to leave my car out of the garage because we still have too many boxes in there. I keep waiting to go out there and it be gone from the driveway. During the day, I try and park it in the front of the house so I can see it from my office windows.
I'm also very vigilant not to leave anything in my car that would be tempting for someone to break a window and steal.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
It all depends on the area that I am working! Some areas ,,,even if I have it parked next to me, I unlock it when I need something,and lock it back up! Learned my lesson when someone grabbed a habdfull of brushes!
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
I usually lock up, but since Scotty came along, anyone that can withstand his bite, deserves truck more than I........
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rick Beisiegel: Don
With all due respect, if my keys are in the car or my house is unlocked, it's still my car or my house. My property, my insured possesion. I am sure you are right though, they would try to get out of paying, but, I doubt it would hold up in a court of law.
BUT WAIT! Maybe you are right. After all, nothing is anybodys fault anymore Now it's MY fault for leaving the door unlocked? Oh well. Hey! I have signs to make.
I think the legal terminology is something like "reasonable effort". And no, I don't think you'd even have an argument in court. Five minute hearing.
This is just what I've been told and I may, once again, be full of shyt. But, I've never tested it. I just lock my doors.
Here's a copy and paste job that will give you the gyst of the issue:
quote: The insurer rejected the claim, relying on a policy term excluding theft ?if the insured vehicle has not been locked, windows and sunroof closed and keys removed, when left unattended or unoccupied?.
So, if leaving your car unlocked is something you would rather do, I'd suggest checking your policy to see if something like this phrase is included in the fine print. I know that it's on my State Farm Insurance policy.
[ December 06, 2005, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: Don Coplen ]
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
I lock my truck on occassion only because I don't want anyone to swipe my inline skates like they did my shoes!
Car theft around here isn't a big problem. Most of the thieves around here are either potheads or coked up on meth, ie: they lack the motivation to do it or they get distracted by the spiders crawling all over 'em.
Either way, this town is small and you can't get very far.
Posted by Bill Lynch (Member # 3815) on :
Yes
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Gee, when we were in Mazeppa, I noticed Mike had a heck of a time with his vehicles. He never locked them, in fact he usually left his key sin them. He also had a real tough time with certain Canadian girls helping themselves.
I'm with you Ernie, the only time my car gets locked is when I go into the city. I don't think our house has been locked in 25 years, although I do lock my shop. That's one of the perks of living in a rural community. We just make sure we never have too much gas in our vehicles so any jail breakers steal the neighbour's car instead.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
quote:Originally posted by Rick Sacks: Years back come late spring when the gardens are starting to produce, folks would bring surplus to share to church Sunday mornings. As the seasons would progress, the table in the foyer became insufficient and soon there were boxes on the floor. Many of us that never lock our vehicles eventually found ourselves doing so as a means of preventing anyone from filling our cars with boxes of zucchini.
Same thing happens at my church.
I Lock my truck, my suv, shops, front and back doors at home, and have four(4) houndawgs in my yard....two will lick you to death, one will meet you head on...another will slip up from behind and bite-cha. The formidable looking brindled one rides everywhere in the back of my son's truck.....nobody messes with his truck.
Posted by Stephen Faulkner (Member # 2511) on :
I grew up never locking anything... my mother hated coming home to a locked house. Even while on vacations and back in Maine I did the same.
After losing some treasured items during a letterhead weekend I promised never to be so careless again.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Yeah, like I would tell the insurance company I left my truck unlocked . Right. I'm gonna pay these bastards $1300 a year and give them an excuse to not pay? Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Rick, most won't cover it if it's unlocked or keys are left in the vehicle. It may stem from insurance companies trying to get out of paying, but it makes people take responsibility for their own irresponsibility. Insurance shouldn't have to pay for stupidity.
Posted by Larry Williams (Member # 5626) on :
Give everyone the opportunity to stay honest. Lock it. Even a good man will steal if he is hungry enough or just given the opportunity to misbehave. Besides it's a real pain to replace stuff especially when you need it now. Enough of the Idealism. We live in a great country and all but there are still some rough spots. Lar
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
I never use to until I found my car stero, cd's, cordless drill stolen one morning to the tune of about $900.00 One of my more valuable lessons.
Now I keep live snakes in my truck and shop overnight with warning signs stating that I have guard snakes on the premises. Most people are more afraid of snakes than pit bulls.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
In the late '60s, when Don Meredith was quarterback of the Cowboys, he stopped in one day at a convenience store and left the keys in the car. It was convenient for the person who wanted a quick ride. Don was out a car, the insurance company wouldn’t pay since he left the keys in, and, to top it all off, Tom Landry fined him $500 for losing his playbook. That same day, Don’s pet ocelot ran away (he probably left the house unlocked, too).
Some days, it just doesn’t pay to get out of bed.
Edited 'cause someone broke in and stole my spell checker. Gotta' get one of those keyboard locks.
[ December 06, 2005, 12:19 PM: Message edited by: David Harding ]
Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
I'll get ya one over at Ernie's David Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
Spell check is of absolutely no use for me. All of my typos are in the dictionary.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
A person has to be awfully ignorant not to know two or three ways to spell any word.
I wonder if any of the variants of "vinyl" found on this board will ever make Don's dictionary.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
"You non-lockers are overlooking an important detail. Take a wild guess how much your insurance carrier is obligated to pay to you if your UNLOCKED vehicle is stolen?" all i got to say is cam and have the same thought!!!! "Yeah, like I would tell the insurance company I left my truck unlocked . Right. I'm gonna pay these bastards $1300 a year and give them an excuse to not pay?" whos stuipid enough to have a vehicle stolen...AND TELL THE INSURANCE PEOPLE..."I LEFT IT UNLOCKED?" i have the sign truck 1974 step van, plotter, printer and some vinyl in it(laptop goes in the house)sit right in front of the carport...KEYS IN IT, UNLOCKED!!! like some one will steal a 13' rolling billboard that says SIGNS HERE & now...and it usually has less then a 1/4 tank of gas(not much considering it gets about 8 MPG!! 1984 volvo 203k on it...WITH THE KEYS IN IT...and i never take em out...only to get into the trunk....the wifes 1995 volvo, we just take the keys out it...dont lock it. has a sticker on the outside...something that to steal the radio is useless...it has a security code...and once removed from the car...you need that to make it work...and it has a blinkin red light on the radio to tel you its armed....as for the house...iam with ERNIE...LOCKS ARE FOR HONEST PEOPLE....and thiefs dont care how many you got(know personally from my days of crime)ANYTHING CAN BE BROKEN INTO...depends on the size of the HAMMER!!!!!!hehehehehehe we leave the doors open and unlocked most of the time if we leave the house, i only lock up when we are asleep. i belive if a thief finds your car unlocked, keys in the ignition, house unlocked and doors open....that the owner of car/house..AINT FAR FROM IT....and to take something that is that easy....would not provide a chalenge to his thieving abilities....hehehehehehe i put locks on the new building. the 8x8 roll up is secured from inside as is the 10x12 sectional. has bars that slide into frame...no way to open. the back doors on the building are "handle-less" on the outside, it is also locked from inside by slide bars. got a door facing the house....only door with a lock, but its an outswing door so hinges could be taken off if they really wanted in. we have had a crack house across the road for the last 8-9 months. i bought a gun....which ive never had since i lived in fl. but still never locked up or took out the keys.....they busted the place last friday....so it back to the nice place it used to be.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
I'm not gonna call anybody dumb here. But, if nullifying your car insurance isn't enough to convince you to lock your doors, I don't suppose there's a better argument. Not my problem.
So far as not telling the insurance agent that the vehicle was unlocked, ever hear the phrase "no sign of forced entry"?
Posted by James Donahue (Member # 3624) on :
Snakes! That's a good one. Myself, I use wasps. East TN is probably the wasp capital of the world. They make thier nests all over the place, including my work area at home. So I don't run them off, in fact, I have what looks like will be a yearly repeat, two years now they've made a nest in an empty coffee can. There are otheres, in the paint cabinet, and up by the welding masks. I don't envy anyone that comes crashing through here too quickly.
I just stay mindful of where thy're at, move slowly, get paint out of the cabinet with the extension grabber tool. Life's an adventure, if you let it be
Oh here's another good one: when a power tool burns out, DON'T throw it away. Those are the ones you leave laying around the work area when you're not there.
Posted by Jackson Smart (Member # 187) on :
Not only do I not lock my truck...I leave the keys on the floor.
When I get out of my truck I put a quick magic spell around it and walk away. Does it work? Sure...I have never been broken into or had any vehicle stolen.
Say what you will...it works for me. If by chance it does happen...then I need to strengthen my spell. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bob Stephens: Most people are more afraid of snakes than pit bulls.
Heh.. my sister is all set then with two large pit bulls in the house (they're really softies) and quite a collection of large pythons and constrictors.
Posted by Dale Kerr (Member # 4661) on :
I have not read all the replies to this post, but HELLLOOOOOO! your address is listed and your telling anyone who is not like us where you are and how you are an easy target. WOW! Sorry to be a buzz kill, but just a little heads up. signed, "Locked up tighter than Fort Worth" of no fixed address.
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
All of you that dont lock your vehicles,bring em down (or up) here and leave em unlocked with the keys in em. They'll be pulled up at the local pawn shop getting money for your ride. Its so bad here, due to drug abuse, that people are stealing Christmas decorations out of yards. Yep, ol Santy has to be tied down with rope and crossties if you want to keep him. Leaving the door unlocked is a no-no also. They'll walk in and walk out with your val-u-bles and again head to the local pawn shop for an evening with oxycodone. Lock it, and load it is our motto down here. Lock all the doors and load all the guns. It would do me good to catch some ****y little thief stealing my Santy from my yard. IVe got some rock salt shotgun shells just a itching to be fired. Boy, would that burn up a butt, or turdcutter, whichever you prefer. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
turdcutter!!
John just so ya know, I've been using that word any time I get a chance and everyone I've said it to does a doubletake then busts out laughing. Posted by Bob Rochon (Member # 30) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dale Kerr: I have not read all the replies to this post, but HELLLOOOOOO! your address is listed and your telling anyone who is not like us where you are and how you are an easy target. WOW! Sorry to be a buzz kill, but just a little heads up. signed, "Locked up tighter than Fort Worth" of no fixed address.
DING DING DING! well at least SOMEBODY else got it!
Do a google search on locking your car up and see how long it takes to get to this thread.
Posted by E. Balch (Member # 3545) on :
What is this about insurance companies paying for lost stuff? All my trucks are paid for and only covered for accidents. I never even thought of paying for that kind of coverage.
It seems like the coastal regions have more need for locking things up.
Around here banks don't have guards anymore and the crackheads are robbing them with a piece of paper, last week one just asked for money and he walked out with a sack full. It seems like we are getting one bank robbery a week (at least).
ernie
PS
For Bob's peace of mind I might mention that since we heat with wood and are home based there is always someone here.
[ December 06, 2005, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: E. Balch ]
Posted by Frank Smith (Member # 146) on :
This thread brings flashbacks of the old neighborhood...multiple drug houses, burglars, you name it. I kept the sign shop looking pretty modest, but occasionally we'd get cased. I was awful careful to lock up and sometimes I'd lock myself out of the buildin...then I'd have to break in. Then, for my own peace of mind, I'd have to reinforce the building so nobody else could ever get in that way again. It got reasonably secure.
Sometimes the crackheads or whatever would come in with a tool or two for sale. Funny, half the time they wouldn't even know what the tool was, but they'd swear it worked great!
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Bob, I guess some people are deathly afraid of snakes but not all. I will have to admit, though, if I walk up on a snake, any snake, in the woods or one climbs down off a shelf in my shop unexpected-like (happened before), I'm liable to jump like anyone else and my sinus rhythm is likely to be temporarily interrupted. But I occasionally pick up and handle non-poisonous snakes...and I can tell the difference when it comes to all the indigenous species. I've even heard of snake handling church services(rattlesnakes that is)...though I've never been to one. But never heard of a pitbull handling service....
"Brother Buford...bless your heart...could ya pass me that pitbull when he gets done gnawing off sister Hogwaller's arm?"
If I were a burglar, I'd be much more inclined to break into your shop if it was full of diamondback rattlesnakes than if you had just one mean pit bull.
Posted by Patrick Whatley (Member # 2008) on :
After reading that I checked my insurance policy and if it says squat about locking the doors I can't find it. However I did discover that I'm not covered from insect infestation, damage to my vehicle if used in a war zone, or any use in any type of racing event.
There went those plans of running the NASCAR Truck Series event in Iraq next year.
Might I recommend anyone who is REALLY bored read their insurance policy. There's so much legal mumbo jumbo in there I'm suprized they ever have to pay for anything.
And I'm still not locking my doors. If I've got it and you want it bad enough to steal it then come get it...just wipe your damn feet, I just mopped.
Posted by Al Checca (Member # 2216) on :
Pittsburgh Boy , born and rasied here. I lock everything all the time. Only time my van is open is when I'm working out of it! Currently Pittsburgh is having a real problem with "smash and Grab" issures. They only want what they can see. They take the cd's and radio's leaving the car.
Be safe lock them up!
Posted by Michael Clanton (Member # 2419) on :
Has anyone watched the show "It Takes A Thief" where two professional burglers show how they do what they do, and how to prevent from being a burgler victim? Pretty cool show, really makes you think about how vulnerable you are to someone who is determined to get your stuff.
Posted by Pam Eddy (Member # 1858) on :
I never locked my vehicles in my younger days, nor did I take the keys out of the ignition. I had a 12 year old Ford Fiesta I hoped someone would steal. No floor in it (just carpet), so you had to lift your feet up everytime you drove through a mud puddle (back of your legs still got wet) and you had to down shift to stop.
I guess it's better no one did steal it because I may have been sued by the person who got hurt trying to drive it. There were rules, such as 1.put a piece of cardboard under it when parking in the driveway of a good customer (no oil leaks on their concrete. 2.Block tire if parking on a hill. 3. Always look out rear view mirror every few minutes for parts that fell off while going down the road.
I do lock vehicles now, not just for theft reasons, but I don't want to find a drunk sleeping it off in my back seat. Neighbor found a veigrant (sp) sleeping in the cab of his pickup one morning.
Pam
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Snake make good deterents; local dentist that stocks several thousand in gold and silver for tooth work, found leaving mojave greens on floor of place worked real well, first time it was burglerized, thieves did more damage getting out, than caused gaining entry...every window was broken from inside to out from them bailing at a high rate... Posted by Doug Fielder (Member # 803) on :
Crime is getting pretty bad up here too.... yes, in sleepy Vermont! Vandals and petty theivery! I'm from NJ, and though we never locked our cars in the driveway, I do now. I also have an alarm system, unlike 99% or Vermonters. My back-up is a Ruger, Savage, Walther, Smith & Wesson system.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
I did'nt really read all your replies . . .but am just telling you the first question that came to mind when I read your topic title: Why do you wanna know??
ANYWAY...to answer your thought provoking question . . .
if a person DOES'NT lock up their stuff . . . WHY would they tell that to anyone . . . * ?
If a person does lock up their stuff, they certainly know that it simply keeps only inept theives out.
If someone REALLY wants your stuff, they could get in to take it.
ALL that analytical stuff said . . .
I do lock my stuff up because, if some theif who more than likely won't WORK for what they are taking, tries to steal from me, I would like for them to at least HAVE to work that ONE time in their life to take what I've worked for . . .
Meanwhile, being somewhat slowed down by my little locks, may cause opportunity for being caught . . .which will create severe bodily harm to their person and THEN they will have opportunity to reflect on their actions during physical therapy, and hopefully, they will have a change of heart with regard to their career choices . . .
I'm of a mind that if a person NEEDS something ask about it...and I will rightly judge whether I can give it or sell it, but don't just TAKE it. Stealing is intolerable.
And yeh, it's too bad it ain't like the old days, or in the country when folks just knocked and came on in, or watched your place for you when you did'nt even give them a key, or lock the place so they could go in and out as needed. Mabey it's still this way in a few places...but not in my town.
Posted by Don Coplen (Member # 127) on :
quote:Originally posted by Michael Clanton: Has anyone watched the show "It Takes A Thief" where two professional burglers show how they do what they do, and how to prevent from being a burgler victim? Pretty cool show, really makes you think about how vulnerable you are to someone who is determined to get your stuff.
You'll never keep the pros out. I just try not to encourage the amateurs.
Posted by John Deaton (Member # 925) on :
Mike, if you think turdcutter is funny, you should find the "restknotches" thing really funny. Seems one of my friends was having some trouble in the bathroom. He was a pooping "biguns" as we call em. Said it bout killed him. Felt like he was having a baby. WHen he finally finished, he turned around to look at it, and the thing was so big it had rest knotches in it where he tried to "cut" it numerous times. Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Buwahahahahaha!
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
I seldom lock up the truck. The way I figure it, if it ever get stolen, the cops 'll find it pretty quick. I can hear the ABP now...
"Be on the lookout for stolen truck. Black and looks like it's on fire."
Rapid
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
Small sign very devote street rodder had me put on rear of his car..."if you see this car on a trailer, call a cop, it's stolen!!!"
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Now it's MY fault for leaving the door unlocked? ![[I Don t Know]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
Oh well. Hey! I have signs to make. ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
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