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thieves, thieves, thieves
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05-12-2006, 05:11 AM
quote:
05-12-2006, 06:03 AM
Aloha,
Okay, so I've been lurking for quite some time and thought I would finally come forward to tell you my theft story. A little background: We live on the mainland and have owned a small home in Hawaiian Shores for five years. My son lives in it full time and we visit not often enough. We love, love, love Puna. When we first purchased our Puna home, we had a bed we had purchased delivered to our home (our realtor let them in), so that when we arrived late, we could at least "go to bed". The bed was stolen within two hours of delivery and the door pried open and destroyed to gain entry. Of course we filled out a police report and of course nothing ever happened. We had an alarm installed right away (Alert Alarm) and our son has a dog (IMHO that's one reason you see so many dogs in Puna) and we have not had any more problems. Our home is on a dead end street and we do see cars cruise by who look shady. My son says he can recognize thieves on the lookout. You know, Captain Cook got himself killed because he was chasing thieves who stole his row boat. I remind myself of that to keep a perspective on the whole theft issue. I look forward to meeting you all some time and really enjoy the forum. Mahalo - Gloria
05-12-2006, 07:02 AM
Am I saying close a blind eye or be fearful? - Not at all, just using an illustration to put theft in perspective in the grand design of life.
We took what steps we could ourselves to prevent future theft,(alarms, dogs, getting to know the neighbors) but we also did not eat ourselves up over it. Granted it was only a bed and a door, but an invasion of our home nonetheless. Remember, these are just my opinions and they way I myself choose to handle the theft situations being discussed. Aloha - Gloria
05-12-2006, 07:13 AM
Sadly it isn't just here. I few years ago, back in Atlanta, we had a theft. I worked from home and that morning wasn't gone more than 1.5 hours. Thief apparently used my own ladder to gain entry to 2nd floor and scooped up all the easily transportable valuables, mostly money and wife's jewelry, about $1000 total. Not sure if our big, friendly dog just watched or hid downstairs.
 Of course the cops came, did the report thing, remarked that there had been a rash of such incidents in the immediate area and they had suspicions of who was involved and why. Naturally, that was the end of it, well, not really, the police department ripped me $5 to get a single copy of the police report to file with my insurance company. Then there are the stories of folks having their cars cleaned out when parked in their own drive. I installed a Security sign. I was never with the company, figured I was providing a bit of free advertising, but was never bothered again.As for the situation here on BI, I was appalled one day last year when a friend who lived in Puna about 10 years and currently works in the court system, explained what she described as an entitlement mentality. The reasoning goes, that many of they people have been so deprived by their social and economic status beyond their control (plantation shut downs, the monarchy take over thing, poor schools, no industry, etc) that they have the "right" to appropriate for themselves- sorta do-it-myself welfare. Even worse is those in the know (relatives, police, etc) passively support these actions, excusing the actions because, "they only take from the rich". As I said, I was appalled, initially I guess, because it was somewhat stereotyping and maybe a bit prejudicial. Since then, I heard more stories, some first hand. When viewed in context of many of the above posts, it's pretty disturbing. A contractor friend was hit for $30K in tools etc off a job site. He now uses an encolsed trailer. We are fortunate in our neighborhood in that we look out for each other. The one neighbor that has had a problem is also the most hidden. I like the wireless camera/storage idea, especially if it could be done economically when absent. Perhaps there is an opportunity here for some bright entrapreneurial type to develop a tracking tag, along the line that sets off the store buzzer, so one can track who has/receives the stolen stuff. David Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
05-12-2006, 08:03 AM
Right now we have our dog there. But he's a member of the family, not a surveillance camera. And I don't want to keep him there until the house is out of escrow.
We have followed some vehicles, gotten some license plate numbers and reported them to the hui and the police. Is that getting active enough? We are also thinking of getting some cameras. Some fake ones for sure. as a deterent. Maybe some real one to catch the buggahs. But they are a bit pricey. I found some with a built in computer, so all you have to do in connect them to the dsl and turn on your computer. But considering that we are going to try to sell the houses asap, it might not be sensible. This is double annoying b/c I was hoping to sell the houses in the summer when I believe they could sell for more. grrrrr. stef
05-12-2006, 08:49 AM
I went to x10.com. and bought a small package that came with a wireless weatherproof motion detector, plug in receiver, and a plug in chime module for only $29.00 plus shipping. My neighbor was kind enough to plug the system inside his house and where it would be heard. X10 also sells a lot of very inexpensive servalance and monitoring things. Look around their web site. You’ll find a whole lot of ideas how to protect your home. They have systems that will automatically turn a camera on and record it to a VCR and or (I think) to your PC with software they sell.
On the subject about the police on the BI. For the amount of police there are, I’m surprised that there is as much crime as there is! If one police officer stops there are 2-3 more that will stop and assist. Yesterday afternoon I counted 8 police cars on the road between HPP and the dump! My friend Sanford (who has lived here for 20+ years) said that the cops don’t want to bother with the “small time stuff” because the families are so intertwined. When Sanford got robbed and when the cop came out to take a report he made the comment of a welding set that wasn’t taken “I wonder if that would fit in my truck” not knowing Sanford walked up behind him! It makes you wonder. I don’t have any answers to make things better other than do what you can to protect your property with everything out there that is available and within the law. Guns? Maybe! What happens if you are at home when a robbery goes down? Royall What goes around comes around!
05-12-2006, 09:12 AM
We also have indoor lights that go on with a timer and an outdoor motion detertor light. Plus, we try to keep a car there to give the impression that someone is there. plus we drive by all the time. and do the cops and the hui security.
As for the police, when we had the lumber taken, we asked around. And all the neighbors knew who took it. There's this "drug house" two blocks down and the people who live there are known burlars. Our framers even saw a new big piece of plywood there, just like the one that was stolen from us the night before. The police did nothing. Not that that is evidence, but enough for a search warrent, no? Then again, we have a different cop on our case now and from what I hear, he's awesome. Guess he's not related to anyone in the drug house. stef
05-12-2006, 09:12 AM
VCR commander and wireless remote camera is what I use. I did get them from X10.
05-12-2006, 10:27 AM
Ebay has fake motion cameras w/blinking power light 4-9 bucks. X10 has more sophisticated webcam setups for under 140.00 (wireless) with recievers and software
http:/www.x10.com/key_products/wireless-web-com.htm Perhaps neighborhood watch programs can employ mobile cameras around the areas that suspicious characters lurk as someone else mentioned signage on utility poles throughout neighborhoods might just work wonders, no-one knows where or if Mr big is watchin.
Aloha HADave & Mz P
Hawaiian Acres The best things in life are free.... or have no interest or payments for one full year.
05-12-2006, 11:36 AM
Back in the day, most houses had a musket hanging right above the fireplace and it was not there for decoration. Stef, you have a right to defend whats yours. Im not saying go out and shoot every car driving by,or shoot anything for that matter- but you would be amazed at the respect you get by popping off a round or two into the air of 3 1/2" magnum shotgun rounds. Just tell five-0 you were "cleaning" your gun when it went off. Im not sure what i love more, my black lab or my benelli supernova tactical shotgun. Good Luck.
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