FARK.com: (3898641) If you leave your car or home unlocked and somebody steals something the Palm Beach PD will give you a case number and say "good luck with that."

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		If you leave your car or home unlocked and somebody steals something the Palm Beach PD will give you a case number and say "good luck with that." (local6.com)		109
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baked beans		2008-09-25 01:59:06 PM

What's the difference with what they do now?

Show up, look at your broken window, leave.

Useless. Completely.

Cosmk		2008-09-25 02:58:06 PM

But, but, the Credence!

Raging Thespian		2008-09-25 03:02:32 PM

Well you did leave the door unlocked.

/Kidding
//Even morans deserve justice

moosen		2008-09-25 03:02:44 PM

Cosmk: But, but, the Credence!

some orange... some rust coloration.

studebaker hoch		2008-09-25 03:03:19 PM

In the global scheme of things...property crime really isn't that big a deal.

Buy another one, lock it up next time.

Maine-iac		2008-09-25 03:03:51 PM

I was robbed at gunpoint in a West Palm Beach hotel by four thugs last year. I got the same response.

Gangis		2008-09-25 03:04:19 PM

Palm Bay cops are asshats. The less one deals with them, the better!

Mighty_Joe		2008-09-25 03:05:12 PM

"There's pretty much nothing we can do for you" - the responding officer to my own personal taste of hell.

Get Lost		2008-09-25 03:06:56 PM

Police May Stop Responding To Some Crimes

Welcome to Canada. The RCMP(police) have publicly posted this type of stuff 15 years ago.

/Even if you get a case number..... You still have to tell them to investigate. Otherwise "Case Solved".

akula		2008-09-25 03:07:48 PM

But when a homeowner stands up to protect himself and his property, I'll guaran-damn-tee you that the police chief will be the first one chiming in with "He should have had us deal with that" and "Don't take the law into your own hands."

If they won't enforce the laws, the citizens are likely to start, and they won't be too happy with the results.

Quigs		2008-09-25 03:08:43 PM

Next time a policeman's house is burning down. I really hope the firemen give them a case number.

Cops suck.

Trunks		2008-09-25 03:09:40 PM

that sucks that someone had their stuff stolen but if you're a cop and you have two cases in front of you one in which someone was robbed at gun point and the other was someone left their car unlocked which resulted in their radio being stolen which of these do you think is more important...

just like if you go to the emergency room because you twisted your ankle playing basketball you're going to be pushed to the side if someone with chest pains comes in or if an ambulance pulls up..

CeroX		2008-09-25 03:09:49 PM

In a lot of cities, the police aren't there to protect and serve, they are there to enforce and collect. They are the cash hounds for the city council. It's all about revenue.

Archae hippy		2008-09-25 03:10:21 PM

Even with a broken window and locked car the police would not come by, just a case number for insurance purposes.

In Virginia
In 1991

farkingatwork		2008-09-25 03:11:05 PM

Wait a minute, this is a change?

Dubai Vol		2008-09-25 03:12:31 PM

And this is different from every US police department, even if you locked your house and car, how?

\no profit for the police in arresting thieves
\\don't bother them, they are busy writing traffic tickets

dennysgod		2008-09-25 03:14:10 PM

Raging Thespian: Well you did leave the door unlocked.

/Kidding
//Even morans deserve justice

No they don't, especially when applied to cars, personal responsibility should be employed. You leave your valuables unsecured, in car in plain view of everyone, why should I have to foot the bill with my taxes for the police to investigate because you couldn't lock your door.

Giza		2008-09-25 03:14:24 PM

If you leave your car or home unlocked and somebody steals something ~~the Palm Beach PD~~ EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN AMERICA will give you a case number and say "good luck with that."

/fixed

unchellmatt		2008-09-25 03:14:49 PM

Sorry, maybe I'm missing something... But if you're dumb enough to leave your car OR your house unlocked, I don't care where you live or how "safe" a neighborhood, your shiat gets stolen the only reason you should be going to the police is to be able to fill out insurance paperwork. And even then, IMO you shouldn't get squat.

Leave your stuff unattended and unguarded, WTF do you expect? Ye gods.

Of course, there IS good reason actually to fill out the report and give them as much information as you can. That being people who habitually break the law also tend to be habitually dumb as a box of wet hair. Sooner or later, they're getting busted, and if you've filed a report and the officers find your stuff, you'll get it back. If no report? Well, odds are it'll be auctioned off or going to a charity (HA! Police Officers Benevolent Fund...).

Cajonian		2008-09-25 03:15:29 PM

I don't know what you people expect them to do. The only reasons to report property crime are for insurance and maybe to get some more patrols around your neighborhood. You would have better luck solving the crime yourself.

Aevum		2008-09-25 03:15:37 PM

Trunks [TotalFark]
that sucks that someone had their stuff stolen but if you're a cop and you have two cases in front of you one in which someone was robbed at gun point and the other was someone left their car unlocked which resulted in their radio being stolen which of these do you think is more important...

You see though, the issue here is that the Cops answer is "Neither. Give them each a case number and go back to watching TV. Actually investigating crimes costs too much".

Bunnyhat		2008-09-25 03:17:05 PM

akula: But when a homeowner stands up to protect himself and his property, I'll guaran-damn-tee you that the police chief will be the first one chiming in with "He should have had us deal with that" and "Don't take the law into your own hands."

If they won't enforce the laws, the citizens are likely to start, and they won't be too happy with the results.

This is Flordia, they may screw just about everything up but they do have castle laws there. So if someone breaks in, shot away tough guy.

Giza		2008-09-25 03:17:32 PM

On the other hand when I had my car stereo stolen this is what the cop said to me:

"We will probably never find it. But, in addition to your stereo being stolen you also had CD's in the back that were stolen too, correct? Expensive CD's, perhaps? In large quantities, perhaps? That the insurance company will refund, perhaps? Sir? *wink*"

/thanks nameless lady cop

nosajghoul		2008-09-25 03:17:55 PM

Giza: If you leave your car or home unlocked and somebody steals something the Palm Beach PD EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT IN AMERICA will give you a case number and say "good luck with that."

/fixed

True. The vast majority of burglary cases go unsolved. Its one of those things they dont want you to know.

wallytacker		2008-09-25 03:18:30 PM

I actually agree with this. If you're dumb enough to leave your junk unlocked (inviting crime), your case gets a low priority. Try getting $$$ from an insurance company for a stolen car if you left the keys in it.

lajimi		2008-09-25 03:19:43 PM

When the cops start to whine about their next contract and want a pay raise and/or to hire more cops be sure to say "good luck with that."

/Lazy, incompetent pricks

PaceyWhitter		2008-09-25 03:20:16 PM

I know most of the people on this board are internet tough guys who pretend to hate cops, but what do you really want them to do?

You left your door unlocked and someone walked into your house while you were out and stole stuff. Where are the leads? Sure the cops could dust the place for fingerprints, but do you know how much all of those manhours for dusting and fingerprint analysis will cost? You would have to triple the budget of the police force just to handle petty thefts. Are you willing to pay the taxes to support that?

Then if you do catch 15-20% more of the criminals you can charge them with a misdemeanor.

That's an effective use of resources Lou.

Jack Acid		2008-09-25 03:21:03 PM

Why is a locked door relevant?

All you "protect your stuff" people really get on my nerves. The onus of stealing is on the criminal, not on the victim. It is this type of reversal of position that you so often rail against in other situations.

The person who takes the stuff is the moron. Always.

ihatedumbpeople		2008-09-25 03:22:39 PM

Easy workaround....

just lock the car door and break the window yourself. Now you can claim an actual break in occured, insurance should cover everything as well. Or would insurance cover it either way, and breaking your window is just more of a pain in the ass that you need to deal with.

/then again, if you have anything worth stealing and you don't lock your doors, you probably deserve to lose it anyway.

Pathighgate		2008-09-25 03:23:52 PM

Wife's car got broken into last week. Police report filed over the phone and a case number. That's it.

In the cops defense, he was very friendly over the phone.

Raging Thespian		2008-09-25 03:23:59 PM

dennysgod: Raging Thespian: Well you did leave the door unlocked.

/Kidding
//Even morans deserve justice

No they don't, especially when applied to cars, personal responsibility should be employed. You leave your valuables unsecured, in car in plain view of everyone, why should I have to foot the bill with my taxes for the police to investigate because you couldn't lock your door.

Our entire society, nay, our entire civilization is based on the principle that idiots need to be protected from themselves and given special treatment. You don't hate civilization, do you?

/Wait, maybe you do.
//Wait, maybe I do too.

ski_adk115		2008-09-25 03:24:31 PM

Same thing happens in Salt Lake City -- even when the thieves break into a locked car. Happened to me, getting a kick, yadda yadda.

cefm		2008-09-25 03:25:22 PM

So they're essentially handing out "Dumbass" tags to the people who have earned them?

PaceyWhitter		2008-09-25 03:25:24 PM

Jack Acid: Why is a locked door relevant?

All you "protect your stuff" people really get on my nerves. The onus of stealing is on the criminal, not on the victim. It is this type of reversal of position that you so often rail against in other situations.

The person who takes the stuff is the moron. Always.

A locked door is relevant because if the door is unlocked the crime commited is petty theft, a misdemeanor.

If the door is locked the crime is burglary, a felony.

Of course the person who takes stuff is a moron.

ACM1312		2008-09-25 03:26:38 PM

Rander and Ratliff you are the worst Palm Beach County Sheriffs of the lot.

tweekster		2008-09-25 03:26:49 PM

Pathighgate: Wife's car got broken into last week. Police report filed over the phone and a case number. That's it.

In the cops defense, he was very friendly over the phone.

Honestly what are they supposed to do?

Ant		2008-09-25 03:27:30 PM

baked beans: What's the difference with what they do now?

Show up, look at your broken window, leave.

Useless. Completely.

Pretty much. My wife was a victim of credit card fraud (waitress used card number to buy crap), and the cops said it wasn't their problem.

wmoonfox		2008-09-25 03:28:53 PM

It will be easier on everyone if they just give up this "protect and serve" sham and admit that they are simply another arm of the IRS, collecting road tax from anyone they see fit.

Sneakytoes		2008-09-25 03:29:01 PM

Palm BEACH police? They'd be all over that like a hip pocket. Lots of zillionaires there. Palm Bay, not so much.

/RTFA

akula		2008-09-25 03:30:06 PM

Bunnyhat: akula: But when a homeowner stands up to protect himself and his property, I'll guaran-damn-tee you that the police chief will be the first one chiming in with "He should have had us deal with that" and "Don't take the law into your own hands."

If they won't enforce the laws, the citizens are likely to start, and they won't be too happy with the results.

This is Flordia, they may screw just about everything up but they do have castle laws there. So if someone breaks in, shot away tough guy.

1) I don't live in Florida.

2) I'm well aware of their laws regarding castle doctrine and stand your ground.

3) I'm not making "tough guy" statements boasting about my plans. I'm simply stating that when the police have no desire or ability to enforce the laws, there are two possibilities. You can have the criminals have a field day or the people themselves will resort to vigilantism (above and beyond simple self defense), which is their only resort if they want law and order. In the US we're more likely to see vigilantism than chaos- the people just won't stand for chaos.

Even so, it is often the police brass who decry self defense, even in the most legitimate of situations. But they steadfastly refuse (in this situation, anyway) to do anything about the crime. Punks who start off stealing unprotected things will graduate to bigger and bolder crimes- nobody nipped it in the bud, so they're embolded. That's going to eventually end with the people, fed up with the chaos, arming themselves and defending themselves against the plague of crime. The only places you won't see this happen are places with absolutely draconian laws against defense and the tools of defense. In those places, the people are left naked against the predations of the criminals while being told that they're better off, because if they had a weapon, they might hurt somebody.

jmayson		2008-09-25 03:34:09 PM

FAIL!

Palm Beach != Palm Bay

Palm Beach: City in Palm Beach County full of rich, snooty people.
Palm Bay: City in Brevard County full of poor white trash.

Steed Lankershim		2008-09-25 03:35:52 PM

Subby this is PALM BAY. About 150 miles north of PALM BEACH and nowhere near the size.

bquilla		2008-09-25 03:36:45 PM

I say good on them. Three cheers for personal responsibility and tax payer savings.

fluffy2097		2008-09-25 03:37:06 PM

Yawn.

Oakland PD only respond if you've been shot in the head, and even then only if you've been shot in the head by a pistol of .45 caliber or greater.

/lived in oakland
//had his car broken into
///Police refused to even entertain the notion of showing up.

bassmaster		2008-09-25 03:37:21 PM

Leads? Yeah, we got leads. We got 'em workin' in shifts, bwahahahaha!

Aevum		2008-09-25 03:39:32 PM

Is it personal anecdote time? yay!

So I live in an apartment complex. This means I have a covered parking spot in the parking lot, but no garage.
My car was vandalized (dents in the hood and roof) so I called the police. They gave me a case number.
My car was vandalized again. So I called again.
Repeat this about 3 times a week for a month and a half.
Police tell me that if I call them one more time about my car being vandalized they'll cite me for abusing the system.

/They didn't cite me.
//I've got a stack of about 30 police reports.
///Still waiting for the day I catch the bastards (vandals) in the act.

kevinfra		2008-09-25 03:40:40 PM

You left your door unlocked and someone walked into your house while you were out and stole stuff. Where are the leads? Sure the cops could dust the place for fingerprints, but do you know how much all of those manhours for dusting and fingerprint analysis will cost? You would have to triple the budget of the police force just to handle petty thefts. Are you willing to pay the taxes to support that?

Nothing, really. The perp will always leave a clear print. All the CSI has to is lift it, then scan it in that cool machine, and 15 seconds later, it identifies the print, and spits out a helpful printout with a color picture and his current address.

In those rare cases where there isn't a print, there's always DNA. All they have to do is swab it, cut the swab off and put it in a test tube, then add some liquid from a very complicated eyedropper, then put in in the machine that runs it though CODIS - which also supplies the color mug shot and current addrees.

I'm suprised there are any criminals left

crho85		2008-09-25 03:40:49 PM

Steed Lankershim: Subby this is PALM BAY. About 150 miles north of PALM BEACH and nowhere near the size.

Can't Resist:

img234.imageshack.us

THIS IS PALM BAY!

casey17		2008-09-25 03:40:58 PM

The cops here in Seattle do the same thing. I thought that was SOP for all L.E.

FarkOf40000Years		2008-09-25 03:45:53 PM

If ~~you leave your car or home unlocked and~~ somebody steals something the ~~Palm Beach~~ PD will give you a case number and say "good luck with that."

FTFY

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