katmando31

A shark hater broke the window. Then used a crow bar to tear out the center console to get to the stereo. Now I need to replace the center console. Does anyone know how to tell if your console is leather or vinyl? I guess its time to install the miniature camera.

Flint

Wow, what **********s. Sorry to hear that. Once they broke the window, did they manage to unlock the door or did they just crawl in to get at the radio? I was kind of hoping the average thief/vandal wouldn't be able to figure out the **** thing in the hurry of a breakin, which would lead to deterrence in itself, but apparently I was wrong.

katmando31

Flint, The crazy thing is that the **** on the drivers side didn't work. However now it works. And the other side doesnt work. For a few minutes I was starting to think that the shark was more trouble then its worth. Then I started the car and I rembered why I love that car.

Thomas

Cobey

Sorry to hear about your baby! I have been devising an alarm system in my head for some time for just such a problem. Instead of making a lot of noise, I was thinking of triggering a motion sensor inside the car. Once the motion sensor was active and detects movement inside for 3 seconds, it triggers the HVAC blowers. The blowers push air into the cockpit that is...wait for it...mixed with MACE and/or pepper spray.

I figured the screams of pain/surprise from the would-be thief could cover for the missing alarm noise. Mount an IR camera in there with the system and you get to see his/her face too.

Cobey

LOL. That is pretty much the idea, though at least one of the door/windows will be open so there is little use in locking/rolling them.

Noelracer928

I'm sorry that happened. I wish you could of caught the person in the act while you had a 9 iron in your hand.

katmando31

T_Max, The cops wouldnt even come out and dust for finger prints. The only way the cops would come out is if you did do harm to the perp. Of course they would be comming out to arrest the owner.

Nicole

A few years ago, someone did something similar with a 911 in Germany. Basically, the car self locked with the thief inside. The owner was arrested for illegally confining the tief, or some similar charge. How sick is that?

I agree with Max - I have no warm feelings for any types of criminals.

But then again, should I not feel for myself when I have some fun in the 928? Given the US speed limits, most of us are probably criminals in the eye of the law. Sadly, we are considered as bad or worse than many thieves. Is that because we are going to pay higher fines, rather than costing the state for imprisonment? Sorry for the provocative questions...

katmando: I feel truly sorry for you! Your console is leather, if you can see any seams on it. The "plastic" consoles have no seams.

Jadz928

Yep I have a leather console in lgt blue (needs redyde), fits 80-83.

Sorry to read your situation. Not cool. Happened to me. (worse)

There ya go, Cobey!
...Or spray it with foam, that later details your interior. (im goofin')

No problem, Nicole. That is why I feel terrible when I get pulled over for "speeding". I've been treated like a thief, and then I open up my wallet to pay for it. Hey, at least I don't go to jail.

User 4221

It is unfortunate that the law protects the criminals. Back in the day, I was an audio/security installer. We looked into "offensive" security systems vs. "defensive".
One thought was to electrify the ingition switch through the coil. Not too harmful, but painful enough. Another guy wanted to install a CO system that would render the perp inop..... Possibly permanently..... I passed.

The worst thing we did was install two 120dB sirens in the car.... Very painful. I made the mistake of triggering the alarm while finishing the install....

Finally, I was warned that the owner and installer could be held liable for damage/harm done to the perp.

Cobey

Figures. I rememeber a story a good while back about a farmer whos barn was continually broken into and plundered. After months of ineffective work by the police, he boobytrapped the door with a shotgun. The next morning he found a body, minus most of the head, laying just inside the barn. And of course, he was convicted of man slaughter and sentanced to a long prison term.

Ron_H

There is a difference between booby trapping a barn into which a child or innocent person may wander and suffer, and a locked automobile into which a person may consciously and maliciously gain entry for no other reason but to steal or vandalize the vehicle.

However, in the eyes of our "compassionate" justice system, we must be careful not to cause any real damage to poor unfortunate souls that have not yet realized the comfort and privilege that society has to offer. Of course society is responsible for this inequity and should bear the cost by allowing anyone not privileged to gather what booty and exercise whatever whims he or she may wish, to satisfy his or her desire for parity. If someone feels deprived, just take what ever it is that they fancy but don't "own"; if they feel arroused by someone other than themself, just rape the object of their arrousal; if they feel alienated, just strike out at whoever is not paying attention to them. After all, it is society's fault that they are not privileged, isn't it? Never mind that most of society has actually labored for a cosiderable time to obtain the "priveleges" that they enjoy.

Of course there is something wrong with the above picture. My NRA friends tell me that in England a citizen no longer has the right to self defense !! Someone may break into your house and rape your daughter and if you try to stop them and hurt them you may end up in prison. I say: No thank you. I say: Baloney. I say it is time to discard the notion that we must endure this crap. It sucks. We have rights so long as we accept responsiblity for our actions. And that is that. Forget the "but what about the...." . There is no "but what about..." Mess with me or my property and pay. Cobey, I like you. You're my kind of guy.

I have a responsibility to offer other members of this society to provide the opportunity to obtain skills and proficiency to enable them to interact among one another and realize a fulfilling and effective life so long as they don't interfere with or impede my life and purposes or threaten me. I also am willing to forgive some poor judgement or childish transgressions if someone SINCERELY wishes to take responsibility for such inappropriate action and change his or her ways. I am also willing to allow a person to present a defense to a charge of criminal behavior and consider that they were wrongfully accused. But they had better be right. And if they are caught, they are caught period. Someone steals my car. Forget it. They don't have any excuse. They are not starving. What they are doing is consciously stepping on my face with no compassion for my rights at all.
End of discussion. I don't feel I should powder their behind to make them change. And if someone intends to threaten my life, he had better be prepared to lose his, even though he was not breast fed, poor baby. I hear that where people are allowed to carry guns, people are VERY friendly to one another.

Nicole:

It is not about "criminal behavior", it is about revenue. The speed limits are deliberately set lower than the engineering studies say they should be set, and the yellow lights are deliberately set shorter than the engineering studies say they should be set. I don't need to tell you why. It is about revenue and employment and insurance rates and mis-truths. It is about not living up to the highest potential but rather to the lowest commen denominator and atrophy. It is also about jealousy and insecurity. Statistics have shown that only 8% of the accidents that happen on the highways happen above 60 mph. Italy has recently RAISED their speed limits when they discovered that fewer accidents happen at higher speed because people pay attention more in higher demanding situations (higher speeds). In my mind it is a "crime against nature" to not act in a manner that utilizes your full potential and ability and deliberately act below your capability. Of course that doesn't make me the most popular guy with those that prefer to "sit in their living room" while on the highway and cringe in fear if the wind blows dust across their windsheild as they are in futility attempting to negotiate their way out of their driveway. Out of the way I say.

Guess this issue pulled my chain, eh?

Gretch

Kinda proves the old adage: "only those with something to lose have to obey the rules."

Cobey

(Quick! Say something about the topic before it gets moved to the other forum!)

Katmando, I feel your pain. My poor Lebaron convertible was broken into 3 times in as many months. By the same people. (Caught during second attempt, jailed, bailed, and went for a third try.)

Any luck with the console?

AO

That totally sucks! Hope the bastard is repaid in kindness 10-fold!