Campground Theft - Chapter 2

Lantley wrote:

booster wrote:

Effy wrote:
Is it right? No. People should not take things that do not belong to them. We learn that in pre-school. Do they do it anyway? Yes. Is it fairly common knowledge people steal things? yes. Has the OP had this happen to him in the past? Yes. So, despite it not being right, we know it happens, it has happened, and people still leave their stuff laying behind when they venture out for the day anyway. The only obvious option is to mitigate the risk by not leaving your stuff lay around. Otherwise, one can come on here and complain all day, it does not change the fact your stuff was stolen. The only way to stop that is don't leave it in a place for it to be stolen. Not sure why this thread got more complicated than that. Sure it's bad, but you have the power to prevent it.

When I was younger my parents bought me a bicycle. It was a very cool bike. Schwinn crate 3 speed. We lived in an apartment on the ground floor with a patio. My parents told me to bring it in to the locked inside storage area over night. It was a hassle. So I started just leaving it on the patio. Well it got stolen. Sure it was our property. Sure it was illegal. Didn't change the fact that my bike was stolen. My parents scolded me for leaving it in a place they specifically told me not to. And told me that despite the thief stealing it, I was partly responsible. Or at least irresponsible. The next bike I paid for with my allowance. I kept it locked up inside and never had an issue.

So complain all you want, but leave your stuff in the open unattended and you are rolling the dice.

BTW - I have never had anything stolen at a CG. Ever. I lock stuff up at night in bins, bikes on the carrier, locked, and I keep it that way when venturing out for the day. Hassle? Maybe - depends on your perspective. Getting stuff stolen is a bigger hassle.

I think you are missing the point. The real issue here is not the fact that people steal, that you can prevent a lot of it, or that you shouldn't have to. The issue is, and why this discussion goes on so long, is with the folks that have been making excuses for the thieves and blaming the victims.

I have to agree with what someone said earlier that was something like "if you are making excuses for the thieves, it is likely because you have done the same". Harsh, but also probably accurate, and we have heard way too many people making excuses. Very disappointing that there are than many around here that think that way.

I don't think Booster missed the point at all. His point is he was partly responsible full being irresponsible enough not to lock up his bike like his parents told him.
Sort of like not putting your stuff away before you leave vs. gambling they will be there when you return.
We know dishonest people exist, how many times do you have to have your stuff pilfered/scavenged/claimed/stolen before one decides to just put it away?

I think you are referring to effy, not me. But, I will repeat, I don't argue with what you say, all of that is possible, but SHOULD be unnecessary.

My question is, if we know there are bad folks out there, why would so many people here infer it is our fault, not theirs. Do you really believe that it is OK for them to steal if we don't prevent it. Read the past posts the were rationalizing that they just didn't know the stuff was not abandoned, but didn't turn it in. Does that sound like ethical behavior? I am not saying thieves won't steal, but I am saying that anyone that makes excuses for them is more like them than not. Again harsh, but why would we not believe that. Remember that was said was that it wasn't the theft that was the big issue in this discussion, it was the defense of the thieves that was perpetuating it.