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One thing I have noticed lately that I suspect has to do with the rising price of gas...The usual progression of car vandalism along the Red Road has subtly changed. Always before, you'd see an abandoned car somewhere along the road with the windows smashed out, later (maybe only hours later)it would be up on blocks with the tires and seats gone, not long after that, it would get flipped upside down, and then, inevitably, torched to ashes.
Well, a couple weeks ago I noticed a car along the Red Road in stage #3 of this progression. It looked like a rental that had been flipped upside down and somehow - spun around sideways. I thought well, surely it won't be long now before it gets set on fire. But to my surprise it lasted almost 2 full weeks before somebody finally lit it up. What else could possibly account for this unprecidented lag but the fact that gas is now just too valueable to burn cars with? Maybe we are seeing the end of an era and have entered the time of "vandalism after peak oil". Anyone else notice?
Uluhe Design
Native Landscape Design
uluhedesign@yahoo.com
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The newest necessity is a locking gas cap
Gordon J Tilley
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Cary, you are not alone. It's a nationwide issue. Law enforcement all over the US are reporting a sharp rise in gasoline thefts. I read an article about some police agency caught someone who had rigged a trailer with a tank and pump. He would stop over the tanks filling ports and pretend to be working on his truck or go inside, buy some snacks and stand around pretending to be easting it. All the while pumping 800 gallons of diesel or gas into his set up (that's over $3,000 worth of fuel). A google news search for "fuel thefts" brings up many stories all with the same message; it's on a steep nationwide rise.
You know its bad when you travel pass a known drug selling corner and instead of a quick exchange of plastic envelopes, it's 3 and 5 gallon fuel cans.[
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I think you guys are missing Mitzi's point in her topic.
I believe she is talking about the cost of Gas is so much... that vandals no longer use it to torch cars.
I often thought many of the cars that were dumped along red road were often abandoned vehicle from thoughtless car owners... not necessarily stolen cars.
To keep this on topic..."Vandalism after peak oil", I hope the rising cost of shipping aerosol spray paint cans make them so that punks who use them for their grafitti aren't able to afford them anymore.
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Lower your expectations and be ready for anything.
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quote:
To keep this on topic..."Vandalism after peak oil", I hope the rising cost of shipping aerosol spray paint cans make them so that punks who use them for their grafitti aren't able to afford them anymore.
You seem to be assuming that grafitti vandals are buying their spray paint?
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Another possible positive to high gas prices:
Reduction in street racing?
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Two thoughts:
I believed Red Road was supposed to be a nice area? Not a junk yard? At least that's how it's presented by the Realtors!
I guess Puna hasn't yet experienced the new thing in gas thefts and that is if you have a locking cap, they just drill your tank, run a hose and siphon that way. Lots of gas is spilled and you're left with a big repair bill to fix your tank! Couple of car fires were started this way in the last year. Don't know of any injuries, though.
I guess I won't park too long on Red Road!
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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