 
Eastsidechris
Member
Username: Eastsidechris
Post Number: 244
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 9:53 am: |    |
After walking up Gratiot last night, my wife and I saw two cars with a curbside window smashed in, including the car directly behind us. After talking to one of the cars' owners and based on other stories I've heard, here are some helpful tips that might help others avoid the same fate:
1. If you need to leave a purse in your car, at least put it in your trunk where it can't be seen. If somebody sees something that LOOKS like it might be a purse, even if it's on the floor of the car, bye-bye purse.
2. Don't leave your CDs out on your car seat. Granted, I broke this rule last night--but apparently Coldplay, Toby Keith and U2 are security devices in Detroit. 
3. Don't leave change out in any visible area. If somebody is triflin' enough to break into your car anyway, do you think they'll pass up the opportunity to get $1.37 in change?
4. If you have satellite radio like XM or Sirius, detach the face plate and take it with you (or again, put it in the trunk).
5. If you have a GPS unit, take the unit with you (or trunk it) and store any evidence of the unit where a would-be thief cannot see it. This includes power cords, suction cups/friction mounts, etc.
6. Don't be so naive as to think that just because you park in a lot with an attendant that your car will be 100% safe. Do you really think someone making slightly more than minimum wage will try to fend off someone who's trying to mess with your car? And more importantly, just because someone is there to park your car doesn't mean he'll be there 3+ hours later when the game (or event) gets out.
7. I know it's hot, but don't leave your windows open--even slightly. If a would-be thief can jimmy a walk through an open window without breaking any glass (and calling attention to himself), he'll gladly do it. And you'd be surprised how skinny the arms of a crackhead can be. And I'm not really kidding.
8. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see broken glass on the pavement near your car, take extra precaution to secure your vehicle. The ladies we spoke to last night only parked a couple spots away from fresh broken glass, presumably from Friday night's game. Any fisherman knows to return where they're biting, and a thief knows to do the same.
9. They are interested in your valuables, not necessarily your car. A purse or GPS unit is worth just as much to them in a hooptie as it is in a Lexus (although I bet the Lexus will garner more of a thorough scan through the windows for items of interest).
10. Remember, car break-ins don't just happen in Detroit, and the odds of it happening to you, Mr. Visiting Suburbanite, are in actuality pretty unlikely--but don't advertise yourself as a target by not securing your car when you go to a game. I've used free on street parking close to 80 times over the last three baseball seasons, and have yet--knock on wood--to have had any issues with my car. |
401don
Member
Username: 401don
Post Number: 607
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 9:58 am: | |
Good tips. I enjoy free, secured parking at Greektown garage. The attendant even smiles and says enjoy the game on your way into the garage. |
Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 4555
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:01 am: | |
I, on the other hand, drive a beater with nothing in it, so why lock it and risk a broken window?
If they want to steal it the car (96 Escort), a locked door won't stop them. |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 2295
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:31 am: | |
Someone broke the driver's side window on my unlocked car parked on Washington Blvd at GSP in the daytime, and they got a plastic case with all my handmade cassette tapes in it. Hope they enjoyed my weird selections, Bob Dylan, Jesse Winchester, very obscure Jim and Ingrid Croce...
I looked around for it because I am certain they tossed it as soon as they saw what was in it, no luck though. It was a pain, because they could have just opened the door and taken the box. |
Wash_man
Member
Username: Wash_man
Post Number: 814
Registered: 05-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 10:41 am: | |
"Someone broke the driver's side window on my unlocked car parked on Washington Blvd at GSP in the daytime, and they got a plastic case with all my handmade cassette tapes in it. Hope they enjoyed my weird selections, Bob Dylan, Jesse Winchester, very obscure Jim and Ingrid Croce..."
Did this happen recently? |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 13174
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:25 am: | |
Maybe the 'broken windows' approach should start with finding everyone who is willing to destroy this unusual form of amorphous silica. Just like a diamond is made from black carbon, glass is made from grains of sand...a little heat and pressure for each, and VOILA!
Start by making them sweep up all of the broken glass in this town...inch by inch. Gathering a raw material is always the first step in learning its application.
Let them learn to appreciate the mess they cause, perhaps employ them in rotation near a furnace where we can melt the pieces back into a form usable for a purpose again.
A little heat, a little pressure...perhaps we as a society can turn some raw people into useful gems.
Teach them the wonder of glass...make them learn to respect its transparent fragility because it is SO analogous to the CIVILITY we so need in our world today.
THAT should be the second public works project that Cub's administration institutes when he is finally made mayor. The first would be way more gardens and mentoring places in neighborhoods, obviously. |
Dannyv
Member
Username: Dannyv
Post Number: 259
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:25 am: | |
Don't these testimonials beg the question, where are the police when all these break-ins are happening? Granted, they may be considered low priority for the police but they are too frequent and predictable to ignore. Another idea, and I've suggested this to the business owners in the Majestic complex too, is for the business owners in the area to have their own security company or contractor patrol the area, if only to provide a visible deterrent. |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1692
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:30 am: | |
You folks were living in a dreamworld if you are just discovering this now! In addition, buy a club and put it on your wheel. Just seeing it there is deterrant enough for these deadbeats who are looking for an easy mark. What is so funny is that once in a car these jokers can pop the trunk by pushing a button, but they are not smart enough to try that 99.9 percent of the time.
What the heck is GSP? Garden State Parkway??? |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 13177
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:32 am: | |
Global Positioning System |
Hudkina
Member
Username: Hudkina
Post Number: 224
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:34 am: | |
Probably because even the police can't baby-sit every car at every second. At any given time during a Tiger's game, I wouldn't doubt that there are well over 50,000 cars within a mile radius of the stadium.
Even if the cops are able to prevent 90% of all attempted break-ins, most people will still only look at the few successful break-ins and think the system is broken. |
Smogboy
Member
Username: Smogboy
Post Number: 8308
Registered: 11-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:36 am: | |
Then by all accounts it should have been GPS and not GSP.
Yeah, it threw me for a second too. |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1693
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:40 am: | |
Gannon, Smogboy, he parked at Washington Boulevard and Global Positioning System?
I know what a GPS is, he was not referring to that. Heck I've used them for years for hiking and for work. |
Aiw
Member
Username: Aiw
Post Number: 6658
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:50 am: | |
Grand Sircus Park... Sheesh! |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 13182
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:51 am: | |
Heh, I was looking at the FIRST post, not Gazhekwe's one...Grand Circus Park!
I'm sure she simply had the soft-C pronunciation in her mind when typing in the acronym!
Sorry for the confusion, I read and re-read that original post for a while wondering of BOTH of you were dyslexic...when it was merely MY meager perceptions. heh |
Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 4557
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:51 am: | |
That's what I assumed, too, Aiw.
(Message edited by lilpup on June 29, 2008) |
Detroitplanner
Member
Username: Detroitplanner
Post Number: 1694
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:55 am: | |
lol, I should have known... Go figure I thought everyone spelled Circus with a 'C'.... I blame the nuns I had in 4th grade. |
Gannon
Member
Username: Gannon
Post Number: 13185
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 11:57 am: | |
LOL.
Still feeling that ruler slap across your knuckles?
Yeah, me too. I'm just a wee bit more forgiving than those penguins... |
Focusonthed
Member
Username: Focusonthed
Post Number: 1893
Registered: 02-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:17 pm: | |
I almost always park at a meter on Washington. A few blocks before I get there, iPod, stereo faceplate, and anything else of value gets stashed. You don't want to stash your valuables while already at your parking spot, because then anyone watching knows what you have and where you hid it. |
Dannyv
Member
Username: Dannyv
Post Number: 260
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:26 pm: | |
detroitplanner, 11th Commandment "Thou shall not blame the nuns for thine own shortcomings" Penance ten Hail Marys |
Gazhekwe
Member
Username: Gazhekwe
Post Number: 2296
Registered: 08-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:45 pm: | |
Sorry, yes, GCP. I need more coffee. Grand Circus Park. And it was not too recently. I still love my music, though. The point is the window was broken even though the door was not locked because the box was under the seat but still visible and I guess they would rather smash and grab than try the door first. |
Detroitrise
Member
Username: Detroitrise
Post Number: 2629
Registered: 09-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:49 pm: | |
"I need more coffee."
That's the problem.
Have you tried de-caf? |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 919
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 12:59 pm: | |
There are some areas in the city that your car is definitely in more danger than others.
For instance, over on Shelby downtown between the BC and the Ponchatrain (sp) is a place I hear a lot of cars getting broken into or stolen. There aren't many street-facing businesses with ground floor view, and every time I am back there someone's casing cars. And that's right downtown.
Over at campus martius a couple months ago a friend had his car stolen right from Monroe and a cop was there and did nothing, even when he went up to the police who watched it go down (as did the person who was in sight distance).
I ALWAYS park in garages, especially the last six months. There has definitely been an uptick.
I just don't understand anymore. This is basic stuff, but obviously, our government can't keeps it's hands out of any cookie or nookie jars (depending on the official), and get things done. This isn't about empowerment, or anything - this is incompetence. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 2062
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 1:08 pm: | |
I have a GPS, and not only do I have to hide everything, but you have to clean off the suction cup MARKS on the windshield, to prevent a break in.
Keep the Windex handy! |
Andylinn
Member
Username: Andylinn
Post Number: 895
Registered: 04-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 2:16 pm: | |
After following the original tips, which are all musts, make you car VERY hard to steal, spend $50 bucks (or $15 if you are a Wayne Student) and get a Club. Then drive over to Fred's Lock and Key and pay him $100 to install a keypad kill switch. Your car won't get stolen ever again... unless you drive a Mercedes. |
Bigb23
Member
Username: Bigb23
Post Number: 2065
Registered: 11-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 2:22 pm: | |
Or a Chrysler. |
Lilpup
Member
Username: Lilpup
Post Number: 4560
Registered: 06-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 2:34 pm: | |
or the thief has a tow truck |
Royce
Member
Username: Royce
Post Number: 2656
Registered: 07-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 2:53 pm: | |
When living or visiting Detroit you have to "strategically plan" your day. Parking on the street is fine if it's a major street and there's a lot of foot traffic(for Tigers games Gratiot and Broadway are your best choices). Also, park on the street only if you're going to be gone for an hour or so and you have no "signs" indicating where you're going, like clothing indicating that you're going to a ballgame. If going to a ballgame, simply park in a parking garage or lot with an attendant. I prefer parking structures like Greektown, MGM, Opera House,or Compuware.
Get a club if you don't have one. I have a "club" and a "cap." So far no one has bothered my car the numerous times I've parked on the streets of downtown. Also, like Focusonthed said, put valuables in the trunk before you get to your destination, even if it means stopping several blocks from your final destination and putting them in then. Following this "strategic plan" should get you in and out of Detroit without incidents. |
Digitalvision
Member
Username: Digitalvision
Post Number: 921
Registered: 11-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 3:00 pm: | |
But Royce,
It shouldn't be that way, and it's a major deterrent to economic development. |
Retroit
Member
Username: Retroit
Post Number: 254
Registered: 04-2008
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 3:07 pm: | |
Eastsidechris, thanks for the Public Service Announcement. It surprises me how much stuff people leave laying around in their parked cars! Do they leave the curtains in their homes open with the lights on while they're away? It's really just common sense.
As for "The Club", don't be so smug. I once saw a car wrapped around a telephone pole in Detroit. A quick glance inside the car revealed the problem: the idiot tried to steal the car with The Club still attached to the steering wheel! I kid you not! |
Plymouthres
Member
Username: Plymouthres
Post Number: 616
Registered: 02-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 4:17 pm: | |
I'm with you Dv. This is a stain on the city and shows how woefully incompetent and apathetic the police department has become.
I remember in 1984, I had come home for leave from the Army and went to a Tigers game down at the old Tiger Stadium. I parked on a street just behind the Firestone store, and when I returned, I noticed that the knobs were missing from my radio! Looking on the passenger's floor, I found a note saying something to the effect:
"Found these two fine citizens in your vehicle. Please come to the 20th precinct(?) and ask for so and so, and we can return you your personal stuff."
I went, and met the cop who had busted the guys. He certainly didn't look like a cop, and he told me the whole story of how he had watched these guys case the area and go right for my car. Thank goodness they didn't break the window, as it would have cost more to replace than the car was worth, I fear!
To the cops dismay, I agreed to press charges and knowing that I was on leave they fast- tracked the case. I figured if the cop went to the trouble of doing his job, the least I could do was go down there and testify against them.
I went down to the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, testified against the two guys (who had cleaned up their act and were dressed in suits!), and they were sentenced to probation and some community service. The amazing thing was the crooks families were there, and they and the crooks thanked me profusely for helping them to come to their senses. It was a rewarding experience, for sure.
I even got the knobs to my radio back, and all the other stuff they took, too!
As suggested, park in a lot and secure your stuff beforehand. Better yet, leave it at home before you go down and avoid all the trouble of having to hide it. |