Campground surprise - not good

[Terier]

After setting up camp I left to go to Walmart. Shorlty after returning my neighbors came by to warn me that a trailer about 8 sites down was broken into while the owners were away for about 3 hours. This happened during daylight in the very late afternoon/early evening hours. A screwdriver was used to break the door lock and the owners were locked out since the key no longer works.

I'm on the end cap closest to the ranger's booth so I have the advantage of being somewhat more visible. However, it wouldn't had taken much for someone else to go unnoticed in my space since I had only been at camp for a couple of hours.

They do have a description of the guy and it sounds like he has been seen around before. This is at a state beach in Southern California.

[Wiscampsin]

Scum, nothing but scum. Glad to hear it wasn't your trailer, but feel bad for whoever's trailer it was.

[onequicksportster]

I think maybe a simple alarm system, and maybe a wireless camera might be in order.. Easy and cheap..

[Cypressloser]

What has the world turned into ?
Only a few short years ago (maybe 15) we didn't even have keys to lock our house.

[SKnight]

Yeah I really dislike thieves.

If he's been seen before, why is he not chased off with pitchforks and torches?

[rattleNsmoke]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr.... I hate reading about those scumbags. Lock N' Load.

[Aussiecat]

They used to hang horse thieves.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by Aussiecat

They used to hang horse thieves.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by SKnight

Yeah I really dislike thieves.

If he's been seen before, why is he not chased off with pitchforks and torches?

I don't have much of the details but maybe the guy was seen before any trouble happened. It's possible to enter the campground on foot from other entrances.

I don't keep anything out when I'm away from camp which is easier when camping solo.

[Herk7769]

So, I have a simple and very inexpensive "alarm system" made by radio shack.

It is a blinking red LED that I stuck to the door window.

Bright-Red Blinking LED Module - RadioShack.com

5 bucks and a sticker will send them to the next camper down the line.

Alarmsticker.com - Authentic Home Security Decals and Alarm Stickers.

They will not take the chance when the pickings are good.

[Terier]

Originally Posted by Wiscampsin

Scum, nothing but scum. Glad to hear it wasn't your trailer, but feel bad for whoever's trailer it was.

Me too.

Actually I was pretty lucky. Upon arriving back at camp I noticed that I left without securing all the windows which is so unlike me. The large emgerency exit was wide open and just needed the screen removed for easy access. Even with that side being visible to the ranger's booth the window awning could had block some of the view.

[Radio]

In any campground I am in I wave at practically everyone passing by. It serves as a greeting and as a security measure. People who belong will wave back. And I make notes as to who belongs with what and where.

"I see you, hi neighbor" or,
"I see you, I got a good look at your face, your car, your tag, your clothes."

We do this as part of the neighborhood watch at home, too.

[Night Stone]

Originally Posted by Terier

Me too.

Actually I was pretty lucky. Upon arriving back at camp I noticed that I left without securing all the windows which is so unlike me. The large emgerency exit was wide open and just needed the screen removed for easy access. Even with that side being visible to the ranger's booth the window awning could had block some of the view.

Well with the windows open, the thief assumed someone must be in there sleeping. So they ignore that unit, that or your site was more visible to other campers.

[indybp57]

Sometimes the scumbags are your fellow campers. On one trip we had laid our patio mat out in the site next door where it could dry in the sun while we were packing up. I got distracted for about 15 minutes when I looked back over and it was gone. Went walking through the campground, must have looked like I was on a mission because someone pointed to the campers that took it. I asked the guy if he picked up my mat and where was it, he said "well maybe but I'm not sure what I did with it." He opened the door to his camper and it was stuffed under his dining table. On another trip it was dark and my niece took her girls to the restroom and had to leave her Coleman lantern outside, when she came out it was gone. So it's not always the people who "don't belong".

[bubbles]

Originally Posted by indybp57

Sometimes the scumbags are your fellow campers. On one trip we had laid our patio mat out in the site next door where it could dry in the sun while we were packing up. I got distracted for about 15 minutes when I looked back over and it was gone. Went walking through the campground, must have looked like I was on a mission because someone pointed to the campers that took it. I asked the guy if he picked up my mat and where was it, he said "well maybe but I'm not sure what I did with it." He opened the door to his camper and it was stuffed under his dining table. On another trip it was dark and my niece took her girls to the restroom and had to leave her Coleman lantern outside, when she came out it was gone. So it's not always the people who "don't belong".

Actually, it is always the people who "don't belong" be they campers or not.

[indybp57]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Actually, it is always the people who "don't belong" be they campers or not.

Good point.

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[VicD]

I always feel paranoid locking up the bikes at night, but when I read stuff like this I realize it's a necessary practice - not paranoia.

[Terier]

Times have changes.....

[Kuba]

Uniden guardian, look into it. Best thing ever. Im seasonal and i have caught a guy stealing my tomatoes!

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by Terier

Times have changes.....

Yes they have. We've removed consequences thus there's no concern for getting up to shenanigans.