W
whatevergirl
Guest
*Florida, hello…Florida.
Florida is not all that bad…it has its bright spots. It does.
*
- Status
Florida is not all that bad…it has its bright spots. It does.
*
W
whatevergirl
Guest
I was about to say the common denominator was that we were all young when we had stuff stolen. In my case young and stupid for not locking my bike up well.
I’m with your husband WEG, I think you are reallllllly stretching here on poor, sunny little Florida.
*He laughed so hard when I said…’‘you know this never happened in Pittsburgh.’’ That was the FIRST thing I said. haha He was like…’‘that’s the only thing you are deriving from this?’’
I can’t help but think the two are related. Unless I lived in a busy city, but I live sort of in a sleepy rural suburb north of Tampa…that is what is strange. Maybe I’m naive. That could be. *
L
lizaanne
Guest
Yes - on the beach.Florida is not all that bad…it has its bright spots. It does.
I am so sorry to hear about your son’s bike - that totally stinks. I had a purse snatched from me when I was about 19 in the parking lot of the mall I was working in at the time. It was a horrible experience.
Oh, that happened in North Carolina. And my neighbor’s very young son was pushed off his bike and had it stolen right out from under him - he was totally traumatized. He was only about 7 years old when that happened. That was in Michigan.So stuff happens everywhere - not just Florida. But I know what it’s like to be somewhere you don’t want to be, everything else on the planet looks better.
~Liza
D
dashso40
Guest
My Mom lived in Florida and she told me that the real estate was on the decline there, although I think Florida is beautiful, I don’t want to insult any Floridians
…From your previous posts it seems like your heart is in Pennsylvania, though…so would you ever seriously consider moving back?
…From your previous posts it seems like your heart is in Pennsylvania, though…so would you ever seriously consider moving back?
W
whatevergirl
Guest
*North Carolina is not that far from Florida, though.Yes - on the beach.
I am so sorry to hear about your son’s bike - that totally stinks. I had a purse snatched from me when I was about 19 in the parking lot of the mall I was working in at the time. It was a horrible experience.
So stuff happens everywhere - not just Florida. But I know what it’s like to be somewhere you don’t want to be, everything else on the planet looks better.
~Liza
You got me on Michigan. 
Thanks for chiming in here, it helps to hear from others who have had a similiar experience…I know my son probably feels like it’s his fault…but, it’s my fault for forgetting to buy the lock. He kept reminding me. Argh!
*
W
whatevergirl
Guest
Yes, we have been for a little while now. Either this or next summer…we are seriously planning, barring a miraculous reason that God would have us remain in FL. My dh likes FL though…but he said he would move back to PA, if it was good for the family. It’s hard to keep moving. We moved in 07to FL, then had to move in 08 to another home in FL…now to move again? Rather kiss a porcupine, I think.My Mom lived in Florida and she told me that the real estate was on the decline there, although I think Florida is beautiful, I don’t want to insult any Floridians
D
dixieagle
Guest
So sorry, WG!!! It really is a feeling of violation when you realize something that you worked for has been taken. When it happens to your child, it is especially galling.
My SIL had his bike stolen out of their locked garage a few weeks ago; they are in Oakland CA., though a fairly decent neighborhood. The thief used some kind of metal cutter to go right through the locks (two of them!) They replaced the locks with something even sturdier…hope it works. Thank God it was just the bike taken (from right underneath their bedroom window, at 3 a.m.) as their car was in there, too. They will just replace the bike, as the deductible is about the same cost, and their premiums would go up. He rides the bike to the Berkeley campus every day, and dd drives their one car to the rapid transit parking lot, so he really needs a bike. Grrrrr…
It is a good idea to put some sort of identification numbers on a bike; at least they probably won’t be able to sell it at most pawn shops.
My SIL had his bike stolen out of their locked garage a few weeks ago; they are in Oakland CA., though a fairly decent neighborhood. The thief used some kind of metal cutter to go right through the locks (two of them!) They replaced the locks with something even sturdier…hope it works. Thank God it was just the bike taken (from right underneath their bedroom window, at 3 a.m.) as their car was in there, too. They will just replace the bike, as the deductible is about the same cost, and their premiums would go up. He rides the bike to the Berkeley campus every day, and dd drives their one car to the rapid transit parking lot, so he really needs a bike. Grrrrr…
It is a good idea to put some sort of identification numbers on a bike; at least they probably won’t be able to sell it at most pawn shops.
J
jmcrae
Guest
Ah, I see. I’m used to seeing cash registers that are sitting in a kind of “well” with the counter going around the side of them. Either that, or they’re on the other side from where the customers come up. They’re always out of reach, though.It had a space underneath it… and his hands were concealed behind the register - I was taking his order - and was so distracted by his odd behavior…
And not to mention - I was a very naive young college student.
I hope you’ve developed the habit of keeping your cash and keys in your front pocket, now!
W
whatevergirl
Guest
*Thanks dixie for your comments here.
A metal cutter? I am naive. What? Right out of the garage? Wow…I’m sorry. That stinks, and is scary, that the burglar was so close…I mean, in the garage! That is scary, glad they are okay. I had not even thought of my son’s bike ending up at a pawn shop. Just never occured to me. This bike is 5 yrs old, what can you get for that??? *
N
novaslasher
Guest
The most audacious theft I heard of happened to my gf’s brother. Her brother was in high school at the time and had some really shady friends. He owned a gas engine dirt bike and kept it in the garage. At the time, the garage door was stuck on the rails and couldn’t open.
Someone had the temerity to sneak in through the unlocked front door of the house, walk into the garage, grab the bike, move it through the house, and drive right out the front door. She said her family was home at the time, but was upstairs. They found out the bike was stolen when they heard it buzz off into the night from downstairs. They never did get the bike back, and her brother thinks it was his “friends” who took it.
This happened on Cape Cod.
Someone had the temerity to sneak in through the unlocked front door of the house, walk into the garage, grab the bike, move it through the house, and drive right out the front door. She said her family was home at the time, but was upstairs. They found out the bike was stolen when they heard it buzz off into the night from downstairs. They never did get the bike back, and her brother thinks it was his “friends” who took it.
This happened on Cape Cod.
C
Celtic_Catholic
Guest
Sorry to hear about your son’s bike being stolen. Don’t hold your breath waiting for it to be returned. Just thank God your children are safe and weren’t victims of any crime!*I’m trying to refrain from a Florida rant…but it’s getting hard.
My kids ride their bikes home from school (3 days per week, my husband picks them up on the days he’s off), my son recently lost his bike lock. My husband takes their bikes up to school before work, and will lock them up for them…because long story, we drive the kids TO school, because no buses will come out at the 2 mile mark…and in the morning, on these busy streets, it’s easier to just take them by car. But, we both work, so they ride their bikes home afterschool.
That said, they came out of school today, and someone stole his bike.
Do I believe thieves live in Pittsburgh? Yes. But, we are living here in a pretty nice area…and slowly, I am seeing a decline. New neighbors constantly moving in …foreclosure signs…the once nice neighborhood, is declining. We lived in a nice suburb in PA also, something like this never happened. It’s just super transient here, a worry I had before we decided to make the move.
Okay…so is this ‘‘stupid’’ for me to think that this is a sign from God to move back to Pittsburgh?
Please pray that the person feels badly, and decides to return the bike. Never know.
Thanks for listening!*
I live in Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, and I wouldn’t even consider moving from this area. I have cousins who have been trying to entice me to South Carolina for the past 10 years. I’m sure it’s beautiful there, but it’s not home. I’ve been here all my life and it’s the only home my son has ever known.
But please don’t be discouraged. There is crime everywhere, not just Florida. I’m sure tomorrow will be better than today.
W
whatevergirl
Guest
W
whatevergirl
Guest
*Yes, I know you are right. I was talking about this all with my kids tonight…my son seems okay about it all. We talked about how sad it must be to feel the ‘‘need’’ to steal something. My dh said that he plans to patrol the streets looking for it…on his days off next week.Sorry to hear about your son’s bike being stolen. Don’t hold your breath waiting for it to be returned. Just thank God your children are safe and weren’t victims of any crime!
I live in Pennsylvania, just north of Pittsburgh, and I wouldn’t even consider moving from this area. I have cousins who have been trying to entice me to South Carolina for the past 10 years. I’m sure it’s beautiful there, but it’s not home. I’ve been here all my life and it’s the only home my son has ever known.
See this? Someone who understands…thank you for this!
Carolinas are not much different if you ask me…I guess I’m not a southerner at heart…I dunno.
But please don’t be discouraged. There is crime everywhere, not just Florida. I’m sure tomorrow will be better than today.
Oh my that should be interesting. *
N
novaslasher
Guest
Haha don’t forget to light the torches and rally the townsfolk!*My dh said that he plans to patrol the streets looking for it…on his days off next week.
C
Consecrated
Guest
W
whatevergirl
Guest
*I think my complaining ‘‘spirit’’ regarding FL, has affected my walk with Christ…for that, I’m deeply regretful and sorrowful to God.
I also feel bad that this happened to my son…like he’s a good kid, he didn’t deserve this today. (no one does) And the fact that he’s being a good sport about it…no complaining spirit there.
Thanks for letting me share this with you all, here. God bless! :grouphug:*
I also feel bad that this happened to my son…like he’s a good kid, he didn’t deserve this today. (no one does) And the fact that he’s being a good sport about it…no complaining spirit there.
Thanks for letting me share this with you all, here. God bless! :grouphug:*
H
Highwayhound
Guest
Here are some thoughts on bicycle security.
God bless
p.s. Your husband has the right idea to spend some time looking around for the bicycle. A cousin of mine got a bicycle back one time by walking around the neighborhood where he lives.
- When I pick a bicycle for riding to a place where it will be left unattended I pick the oldest junkiest looking bicycle I have. My bicycle would be sound mechanically, but it will look terrible. The idea being that thieves will generally desire the newer looking bicycles.
- A friend of mine in Canada had a bicycle stolen. The next bicycle he got he immediately stripped it down and gave it a highly personalized paint job so he could easily identify it.
- You mentioned that the bicycle was stolen from school. I know a young girl who had her bicycle stolen from her school. The mother demanded the school provide better security for the bicycles. Another school I know has a fenced in bicycle area that is locked during school hours. Demand this from your son’s school.
- If a bicycle is to be in a public area make it one that does not have those bits of gear that make it desirable to thieves. Example: I know quick release items our convenient, but those are targets for theives. Get a normal seat with nuts that secure it. In fact you might secure things with lock nuts. Harder to repair, but more secure.
- When I bicycled to work at the pool I never locked the bicycle up at the bike rack. I always wheeled it into the storage room. The current pool where I lifeguard also lets people bring their bicycles inside and use the kitchen or janitor’s closet.
- This last idea might not be practical to most, but it is my number one security method. I have bicycled with my dogs since 1996 and we have gone all over the North America and Europe. Nothing like having Cyclops (which was part pitbull) tied to my bicycle and trailer to deter thieves. My current dog Star is 75 pounds and a big goof. However the dog is big enough to make a thief look elsewhere. Star was also big enough to make that black bear this past summer in Alaska relinquish the road to us. So a dog is a great bicycle security system.
God bless
p.s. Your husband has the right idea to spend some time looking around for the bicycle. A cousin of mine got a bicycle back one time by walking around the neighborhood where he lives.
C
chevalier
Guest
Sorry to hear about that! Yes, it’s lame. But it takes a plenty unhappy person to be able to steal a child’s bike.
Yes, it’s lame. But it takes a plenty unhappy person to be able to steal a child’s bike.
H
HouseArrest
Guest
It has been my experience, some times, that when a bike is stolen the thief just “needs a ride” and leaves it at his/her destination. So if you call the police and describe the bike, there is a chance you could get it back.
Of course we live in a small town so our thieves might just be weird like that. (Oh – and we’re in Pennsylvania!).
Of course we live in a small town so our thieves might just be weird like that. (Oh – and we’re in Pennsylvania!).
W
whatevergirl
Guest
What? Bikes are stolen in PA?
Yes, you could be right, that’s an interesting thought.- Status