Lock Your Cars - Even In Your Own Yard

[Henry]

More than 30 cars hit in Ferrisburgh, Vergennes and Panton recently were left unlocked.

"The doors aren't even closed all of the way afterwards which means they're taking care not to make noise and slam doors, so something as simple as locking a vehicle keeps them from going in there and stealing stuff," State Trooper Peter Dempsey said.

I know your car should be safe in your own yard.  I often think of this when I go down to Church and lock my car while I am in Church.  I remember the old timers saying, "That person would steal right off the altar," which was their way of saying some people would steal anything from anybody.

I remember the day when we never locked our doors even, much less lock or take our keys out of the car, however today is a different story.  Time to make it a habit to take your keys and lock your car whenever you leave it any place.

http://www.fox44.net/global/story.asp?s=10604400

[mirjo]

It is so annoying that the criminal element gets to dictate how the rest of us must live! It seems like it must be some kind of huge societal flaw that these people with no regard for others are the one's in charge of how the rest of us manage our daily lives! We have to live like prisoners, fearing that some jackass with no manners is going to enter our homes/yards/cars etc., and help him/herself to whatever is there that looks interesting!

I guess some people are just born that way, unfortunately for the rest of us. It would be easy to blame parents etc., but I have seen plenty of jerks come from perfectly nice families, with parents who were loving, attentive, and present and still their children were ridiculous. Is it over indulgeance? Politically correct time out? The overriding sense of entitlement?

Considering you can have kids from the same type of "challenged" background and one will do wonderful things and the other will not, seems like inherent personality traits are more a factor in what goes on than we like to believe.

This Sunday morning soap box is brought to you by the need for more coffee...and no Trevor, I'm not interested in a Keurig coffeemaker...I'm not a big fan of the pre-packaged!

[David Shea]

Criminals outnumber the authorities so the odds are in their favor as far as getting away with crime.  The criminals also think that most homeowners will not confront them if found on their property.

I remember a few years ago someone broke into one of Jim Magnan's homes.  During this break in the occupant took the law into his own hands.  It is my understanding that the Cherrierville part of town was without crime for sometime there after.

The chances of being caught are slim and the penalties that are levied against those that are caught are to light.

[cedarman]

For car break in prevention, an electrified wire on the underside of the handle would be great!

I think as far as nature vs nuture.  Some people "might" be more naturally inclined toward a certain way of behaving, BUT I really think how they are raised plays a big part in the end result. 

Most parents want to give their kids all that they can.  Maybe it's to make up for having to be away from home to work and pay the bills or whatever, but sometimes, giving all you can to a kid, and accomodating the kid all the time (preparing them a separate dinner because they don't like what the parents are eating, and all of the other innocent little ways that parents cater to their kids) is not the best thing for them.  That doesn't make someone an unloving, uncaring, or bad parent, but it certainly is NOT an easy thing to tell a kid "NO" when the request seems innocent enough. 

I grew up working hard for everything (kind of like a farm kid, but doing forestry type work).  My father always said "it's good for you to work hard, but you need an education so you don't HAVE to do this for a living".  My youger brother was given everything and allowed to do almost anything due to a medical condition that my mother believed made him fragile (when the reality was he was anything but fragile and unable to work).  By the time he was in his early teens and my parents decided to try to establish some rules and control, it was too late.

He dropped out of school, and has been bumming around for that past 12+ years (currently living back at home with Mom and Dad at age 29 with 3 kids, a part time job, and fortunately, No criminal record).

As a new parent, I believe one of my biggest challenges will be figuring out when to give in, and when to stand firm (and then actually being able to stand firm and say "No, you can't have that because . . . .")

[dearon]

I wish you the best of luck...you shouldn't be so judgemental,  it's always easier to say I'll do it this way and everything will turn out great.  Just be the best you can be and know that not all adults or teens are responsible and their parents are/were certainly not to blame. 

[mirjo]

Although there is in many cases a great deal of 'entitlement' instilled in children for various reason, there are also as many situations where perfectly decent parents have done what they can do and still end up heartbroken with a child that is on the wrong side of the law or otherwise unproductive. There is no formula, and no guarentees. All anyone can do is 'teach your children well' and hope for the best outcome. If you're into it, a prayer or two along the way probably wouldn't hurt either.