Willy Week article: Steal This Bike

[pooks]

I've been locked out of my car three times and people have broken in for me (usually with a slimjim, once with a coathanger). Nobody ever looked twice, as you say.

But that's the reason why I wouldn't pay any attention if I saw somebody using a slimjim to get into a car -- because it's not all that unusual for somebody to need to use one to get into their own car. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.

I might -- MIGHT -- laugh about it and say, "Locked out of your car?"

I think crooks who act like they belong where they are, doing what they're doing, can get away with a lot just because of their body language and attitude. I mean, do we really expect a crook to steal a car, and take ten minutes to do it, in front of witnesses?

[chickwhorips]

its sad that its so easy to steal a bike and no one reports it (or any other crime), but on the upside congrats portland for being one of the Top 5 cycling cities!

sidenote: glad i live in a place where people leave their keys in their car, doors unlocked and your neigbor calls you if something looks fishy at your house.