hudel said:
Thanks for your input folks...
I have decided that Brad makes a lot of sense: "...But if they steal it and scrap it for parts... I'd rather HAVE the value than a salvaged title and half a car..."
However Bradca21 seems to think we should invest our money in nice stuff to use as bait to catch criminals"
"... I couldn't live with myself if he went on to kill somebody else (after he took my car), and I hadn't done SOMETHING to try to catch him. Yes, I do believe it's my responsibility, PARTICULARLY when there's very little risk on my part (pay to have the unit installed, and report the car stolen if it ever is). "
I would prefer investing in a Glock 45 if nailing criminals was my intent...its much more cost effective...
:wink:
Aaaah, you have misquoted. It wasn't Bradca21 who said that. It was me. And you MOST DEFINITELY took me out of context, because
I never said we should buy stuff as bait for criminals.
I know you were just making a joke, so I apologize for getting all serious here, but you asked a serious question, then treated my response as a laughing matter.
Taking me out of context and using that as a basis for a joke really devalued my entire prior post. Hence, the reason I'm back. (sorry)
So just to be clear:
1)
I do NOT advocate buying nice stuff as bait for catching criminals. That's just silly and dangerous.
2)
I do NOT even advocate flaunting nice stuff so that criminals will see it. In fact, I think that discretion is smart. It's one reason I always use the privacy shade in my Prius' trunk, and it's one reason I tinted the windows.
3) But the fact is, I
cannot disguise my car. People will see it in the driveway, up and down the street, in the garage, in a parking lot at the movie theatre, or at work. It's a nice looking car, it's new, and I keep it clean and waxed.
4) Therefore, Item #3 above MIGHT still make me or my car a target, in spite of my best and most diligent efforts to be circumspect while carrying on with my life.
5)
I did not buy my Prius to attract, trap, and capture criminals. I bought my Prius because I wanted a larger car than what I was driving, and because I wanted to burn less gas.
6) Jokes aside, It's not practical, safe, or smart to "pack heat" just for a trip to the corner store or the movie theatre. I bought my LOJACK as a precaution against the criminals who might try to take my Prius from me, and maybe shoot at me or my passengers.
Remember, the LOJACK is hidden in the vehicle, not in view taunting the theives. It will INCREASE the odds of catching a criminal without increasing my risk.
I know you were just joking, but your joke really de-valued my prior statements, and made me appear a bit one-dimensional in the process. So I felt I had to set the record straight, because other people might read this thread with the same type of question. I think this is an important matter, and should be discussed as such.
Too many people treat security and safety far too lightly and jokingly. Oh, boy are they surprised when they get held up or robbed! And that's when they start getting all self-righteous and indignant, when it's too late to do anything about it!
As I said before, PREPARATION is everything.
And I would also recommend that you take just a moment to read some of the stories of captures on lojack's website. They DO catch a lot of criminals who are wanted for OTHER crimes. The URL is
http://www.lojack.com .
Okay, getting off my soap box now. Next!