Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion • Hacker News Board

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#111

Post by lmm » Tue, Aug 12, 2014, 6:30 PM UTC

aphexairlines wrote: post #109

lmm wrote: post #54

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I live in London and I've had my bike stolen around once a year; four times now. I try to treat it as just a cost of life (the bike is still saving me money compared to train tickets), but it gets to be irritating. I've got a cycling holiday booked next month and I'm terrified my bike's going to be stolen just before I go.

Have you tried a wheel lock? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_lock#Wheel_lock Someone walking around London carrying a bike rather than riding it would look pretty suspicious -- wouldn't police stop someone like that and check the registration sticker?

The first time I just locked the wheel. Every time since I've used more advanced locks. It was never unlocked.

The last time one was stolen the thieves left the back wheel (locked to a stand) behind, unscrewed it and cut through the cable that was holding the frame. AIUI bike theft is mostly organized, they take a whole load and throw them in the back of a van, rather than carrying them around.

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#112

Post by cafard » Tue, Aug 12, 2014, 8:05 PM UTC

praptak wrote: post #10

"Stealing cars is harder than it used to be, less lucrative and more likely to land you in jail. As such, people have found other things to do." Interesting. I wonder if there are any studies on what the other things are. What do perpetrators do when the crime they specialize in no longer pays?

Some of it weren't in it for the profit. One of our cars was stolen some years ago, and found the next day a few miles away. I believe that it was some dirtbags who wanted to get home without hailing a taxi or walking.

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#113

Post by MrBuddyCasino » Tue, Aug 12, 2014, 8:07 PM UTC

dagw wrote: post #81

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In islamic countries with sharia law, nobody steals, since you risk loosing a hand. Not that I recommend that approach, but I'd be careful with such statements.

In islamic countries with sharia law, nobody steals, since you risk loosing a hand Really? Do you have any evidence to back up that claim?

I know people that grew up there. I believe them. Thats all I can say.

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#114

Post by dagw » Wed, Aug 13, 2014, 8:26 AM UTC

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #113

dagw wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In islamic countries with sharia law, nobody steals, since you risk loosing a hand Really? Do you have any evidence to back up that claim?

I know people that grew up there. I believe them. Thats all I can say.

If you can manage to prove that statement you'll basically have proven the P=NP of criminology

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#115

Post by CalRobert » Wed, Aug 13, 2014, 10:00 AM UTC

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #75

thelettere wrote: post #50

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They've done studies on the effect of increasing penalties on crime, and it's virtually nil.

In islamic countries with sharia law, nobody steals, since you risk loosing a hand. Not that I recommend that approach, but I'd be careful with such statements.

That seems unlikely given that ISIS has apparently been stealing the homes and possessions of the Yazidi.

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#116

Post by MrBuddyCasino » Wed, Aug 13, 2014, 5:18 PM UTC

dagw wrote: post #114

MrBuddyCasino wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know people that grew up there. I believe them. Thats all I can say.

If you can manage to prove that statement you'll basically have proven the P=NP of criminology

Guess you're right - I shouldn't have posted this on HN.

Re: Why Stealing Cars Went Out of Fashion

#117

Post by leke » Thu, Aug 14, 2014, 5:03 PM UTC

joosters wrote: post #46

leke wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How about RFID chips built inside the frame. Then your town would make hidden readers, placed around the city (close to cameras), that could alert authorities of a reported stolen bicycle being ridden. Make the thieves pay a hefty fine to recouporate some of the expense of the system.

So you would like the government to track the location and movement of all bicycles, each one tagged with the owner's ID? Can't imagine anyone would object to that smart idea :)

Google, Apple, MS et al all track us by our phones and I think you know by now that the NSA, and police can also access that data.

I wouldn't really object if the government knew when I cycled into town, and when I visited friends etc... if it would get my stolen bike back. There could also be a rule that only bikes reported stolen could be logged and alerted, but there could also be benefits if this rule was let slide. For example, popular cycling routes could be studied for prioritising path repairs, or the building of new cycle lanes.