Trees stolen again... I'm done

[penumbra]

The grass is always greener .................. same as it ever was.

 

[Attmos]

The same 2 came back again this year for more of my trees. They stole some last year, but there were no cameras then. I gave a police report with video from the cameras. I live in a condo so I can't keep them anywhere else. I either have to move or quit the hobby entirely. I can't keep having my heart ripped out like this. They took 6 more. Some crappy, but one I really loved.
I started drinking again last time this happened, this time I'm going to a meeting.
I'm just posting to vent, because you guys understand how this feels. The police seem like they are clueless as to how valuable these trees are to me. I would rather they stole my car.

Yeah, the police said it was a good video. Even if I catch them someone else will just come and steal them. It’s just too easy to do that here

It's not really just where you live unfortunately. It's just pretty easy anywhere.
I'm brand new to bonsai, but I understand loss and theft and just how uninterested law enforcement is in theft that doesn't meet a certain dollar value.

I am, of course, very sorry to hear about the loss, but I would try to keep in mind that what matters IS the journey.. no matter how many times you're set back.

Don't give up.

 

[Attmos]

We were supposed to get an alert when people came on my deck but they pulled the camera in the front down that would shine a light and alert me. I had a rock pick that I was ready to fuck someone up with if I got that alert

Try setting up a common garage motion sensor connected to flood lights, on your patio floor. They're pretty sensitive and the lights pretty much say "Go Away".
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Honeywell-...ZjVifcFqqE5iuUtRb3FveUxVDplOIL_5OmV9i8W7IyJ00

 

[WIlliam_Butler_Yeets]

I'm just now seeing this thread and that's just awful that someone took your trees. Do you have a way to secure them to the benches maybe or to a cinderblock under the bench? Like maybe a length of chain and a padlock? Or a bike cable or something? Sorry if you've already thought of these and decided against them, I'm just trying to think what I would do to secure trees that couldn't be fenced in.

 

[Mikea454]

Thank you for the kind words and collective anger everyone! I do appreciate it! I hope to move to a house in the very near future with a private yard. I will get some air tags for sure.

huge empathy and.anger watching that video, any updates? please tell me the police caught them..... maybe you bought a pellet gone and they came back again?

 

[leatherback]

Try setting up a common garage motion sensor connected to flood lights, on your patio floor. They're pretty sensitive and the lights pretty much say "Go Away".
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Honeywell-...ZjVifcFqqE5iuUtRb3FveUxVDplOIL_5OmV9i8W7IyJ00

Yup, something similar installed here along the main routes of entry, combinedwith hidden security camera's.

I have been considering more visible camera's and a sign, "Smile, you are on CCTV" then decided that that might deter some, it could also invite people to check out why there is beefed up security.

Dogs are also good, but local rules need to allow your dogs to be free on your property over night / might require a small containment fence.

 

[Dabbler]

Yup, something similar installed here along the main routes of entry, combinedwith hidden security camera's.

I have been considering more visible camera's and a sign, "Smile, you are on CCTV" then decided that that might deter some, it could also invite people to check out why there is beefed up security.

Dogs are also good, but local rules need to allow your dogs to be free on your property over night / might require a small containment fence.

I was thinking the same thing, that people would be like what's back there for all these lights - bit of a catch 22

 

[Srt8madness]

I was thinking the same thing, that people would be like what's back there for all these lights - bit of a catch 22

I think that's overthinking. These sort of dbags are looking for soft targets, the easiest grab. They aren't doing a cost/benefit analysis, they see something easy and they take it. Something that just places some doubt can be enough.

I saw a 20 year old car with a bumper sticker that said "This vehicle is tracked by GPS". Is it? Who knows, but a car theif would likely not take the chance and choose a different target.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

A strange (?) take:
There are a lot of good ideas and suggestions for the future. As for the pet trees already lost? Maybe community involvement. Local social media could potentially help you find what you've lost. Also, someone might have information about the culprits. Community shame was once an effective punishment. It probably won't work now because people like this have no shame.
Also, you could foster local interest in bonsai. When I was in fourth grade, I touched an artwork that the fifth graders were doing in the hallway. It was pastels, so it smeared. I meant no harm, but harm was done. My punishment? Our class joined the fifth grade classroom and "assisted" (we actually made our own, but we didn't know the difference, we just had fun) the older kids. I'm sure Jeff Foxworthy would agree, these guys are NOT smarter than a fifth grader. It might not work (as was stated, not much monetary value in these projects), but it might be worth the effort for a chance to recover the works you've created. They're worth more to you than you can probably sell them for, but it's about the part of yourself that you put into them, and the potential for what they could('ve) be(en).

Whatever happens, it seems you have an encouraging community here that doesn't want to see you give up. If you quit, they have taken more than a few trees.

 

[ShadyStump]

If you quit, they have taken more than a few trees.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Inquiring minds want to know, any updates? Are you still with us?

 

[Cajunrider]

Found on FB

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

San Fran...
...or pretty much all California?
Plus a number of other huge cities...

 

[Cajunrider]

San Fran...
...or pretty much all California?
Plus a number of other huge cities...

Not all of California.

Orange County District Attorney’s Office Launches Multi-County Public Safety Advertising Campaign to Make it Clear Crime Doesn’t Pay in Orange County, Thieves will be Prosecuted to the Fullest Extent of the Law - Orange County District Attorney

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: March 12, 2024 Kimberly Edds Director of Public...

orangecountyda.org

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

That's awesome! Not a fan of taxes, but at least this is a worthy use of forced taxpayer (involuntary servitude) dollars.

Oops! I think my patriotism is showing.

 

[rockm]

Found on FB
View attachment 557098

If you're going to post shit like this post ALL of it, this is SATIRE. Posted by the store owner apparently (Louis Vuitton). It ain't a city sign. "If it's on the Internet, it must be real.'

No, SF Didn't Erect Street Sign Saying 'Stolen Goods Must Remain Under $950'

A sign outside a Louis Vuitton store telling thieves any items they steal must cost less than $950 caused a stir on social media.

www.snopes.com

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

If you're going to post shit like this post ALL of it, this is SATIRE. Posted by the store owner apparently (Louis Vuitton). It ain't a city sign. "If it's on the Internet, it must be real.'

I'm not taking sides. I wasn't under the impression that it was an official city sign. But it is definitely an accurate commentary on the state of that particular city, and how business owners feel.

 

[Cajunrider]

If you're going to post shit like this post ALL of it, this is SATIRE. Posted by the store owner apparently (Louis Vuitton). It ain't a city sign. "If it's on the Internet, it must be real.'

No, SF Didn't Erect Street Sign Saying 'Stolen Goods Must Remain Under $950'

A sign outside a Louis Vuitton store telling thieves any items they steal must cost less than $950 caused a stir on social media.

www.snopes.com

My bad. I should have fact checked it. Thanks for the correction.

My last visit to SF was with my SIL who lives there. She told us to leave the car unlocked and windows rolled down when we parked. That in a way got my mind set and I thought that post was true. Still I should have fact checked. Live and learn.

 

[Desert O'Piñon]

Satire, though often hilarious, can often be misinterpreted.

 

[leatherback]

well.. Of Course it is not an official sign. Pff.