jray
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 p.3 #6 · Foil gear thieves. ..! | |
Holartic wrote:
... I found that one of the key elements to keeping a vehicle secure is to make it look like there isn't anything in the car.
This 'is' the key element IMO. Out of sight, out of mind. A simple concept, but quite effective in most cases.
If you have a car that looks like you live in it, I bet a potential thief would think there would be a fair chance of finding something. If, however, you keep your car just like it was driven off the new car lot, then they might be drawn to more tempting targets which have "bookbags" or "sachels" that look more interesting.
Yes, but by the same token if they were looking for a car to steal, why not steal the nicest, cleanest, car you can? This is why I only drive my 87' Accord when parking in out of the way places. Who would want it? I also leave a bit of junk food crap in the car along with a few other non-valuable items to mess it up a bit. I always have a McDonald's, Burger King bag, etc. I use for garbage that takes residence in the front in plain sight. I also move the contents of the glove-box and leave it wide open for inspection. I still wonder if this is a good idea since although it shows a thief you have nothing in the glove-box, it also makes it clear you are showing them this. They might spend more time searching your car under such circumstances. I can't really qualify this one
So, for me this means frequent use of my trunk, and I rarely find myself with anything inside the vehicle unless I'm on an extended trip. By the way, I have a Honda Accord.
The trunk helps, but a person who steals stuff from cars on a regular basis would never let a trunk go uninspected, and they wouldn't let the fact that a car has nothing in the front keep them from breaking in either. Typically such people break into as many cars as possible in as short a time as possible to get as much of your stuff as possible. I rely on this behavior to help protect 'my' stuff to some degree.
When I say 'out of sight, out of mind', it doesn't just refer to things you can't see from outside the car, I'm also referring to things that can't be seen even if the thief feels they have given the vehicle a thorough inspection.
Thieves have a tendency to spend as little time as possible in a single vehicle, and I'm counting on this to help keep my stuff safe. This is also why I leave a few red herrings in the trunk. I want them to think they've hit pay-dirt and take off.
Firearms are an interesting suggestion. Considering that you might be by yourself the distraction of taking photos opens you up to all kinds of potential unpleasantries since distraction is the root cause of most muggings, assaults and worse.
Like I said earlier, the last thing I want to do is start a gun thread, but there are times when it's the only solution to insure your protection. I carry a handgun to protect myself from animals just as much as I do from that strange person that might pop out of nowhere.
Pepper spray is perhaps an excellent less than lethal suggestion though it could pose trouble for airline travel.
This is always my first line of defense and is also why I carry two types. There are times when it's actually more effective than a gun could ever be. One thing I know for sure, bears get sprayed with pepper spray, period. Unless you have something I haven't seen before, never pull a handgun on a bear. In all likelihood, all you'll do is piss them off. You don't want this, trust me  As for use on the human animal, I only carry Sabre brand. The reason is simple. It's a mix of CS tear-gas (mace) and pepper spray. Although mace is a effective, it takes a bit of time for it to have an effect. It also has little effect on most animals. It doesn't always work on people either. If they are on PCP or some other such drug it might have no effect at all. On the other hand, pepper spray usually works on anything first time every time, but the effects can start wearing off after a few minutes. Sufficient tearing will reduce the effects of pepper spray, but usually have little effect on mace. The pepper spray is effective immediately, and by the time it starts wearing off, the mace has taken effect. A good mix actually. Make sure you check you state laws in regards to the use of pepper spray or mace. Before pepper spray was available in California, I used to have a mace license (I actually still have it). Now neither requires a license.
Perhaps the best alternative is to travel with an observant friend or make a conscious effort to take careful note of your surroundings periodically as you photograph.
This is always best if possible, besides it's nice to have someone to share the experience with. Unfortunately when I mention I plan to get up a 3:00 or 4:00am in order to travel to a destination where I'll set up a small vertical tent and sit there all day waiting for birds to fly/swim by, I don't usually get many takers It's a sickness I guess...
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