Pagoda Notes - Theft Prevention

[ChrisInNashville]

Thanks to Ray Hays for a great write up in Pagoda Notes on Theft Prevention!

I'd like to add another idea to the list - Be Selective in OnLine Media Participation

Example:  I WAS - as in, prompted by Ray's article, I am no longer -  member of a couple of FaceBook Forums devoted to Pagodas.   One was a  Public Forum, the other was a Private (aka 'closed') Group.

Either way, two things are obvious that can't be hidden in Facebook: my name and my location.    With those two pieces of information, anyone with the mildest level of Internet search capability could have my home and office address in five minutes.  With only my name (which is uncommon in the states), it might take 15 minutes. 

Locked garage or not, I inadvertently gave myself the potential to be an INTENTIONAL target of theft rather than a random one.

When we join these affinity group forums on something like FaceBook, we open our private information to more than just our group of "friends" and potentionally give the entire world a peek into our 'stuff'.  Food for thought...

Now the engineers among us are probably wondering "how do we improve the vetting process to assure that sl113.org remains a safe place?"

Sincerely,
Chicken Little

[iftykhan]

Firsly, thank you Ray for article and suggestions in Pagoda Notes.
 I was recently out for a drive and kept noticing a newish Vauxhall a few cars behind me for several miles.
Now I have "followed" nice cars in the past, just an appreciative thing I suppose, but this felt different.
I was forced to aimlessly drive around until pulling into a petrol station forecourt and trying to make eye contact with the occupants of the Vauxhall as it drove past.
Two guys looking right at me did make me feel very uncomfortable.
I know there was a recent posting about "being followed" and this has prompted me to go down the Tracker route.
I am asssuming a Tracker comes with stickers to warn would-be thieves not to mess, but is it better to not install the stickers as this gives the low life something to look for if stolen or better to affix the stickers to act as a deterrent?

Ifty

[Raymond]

I've been traveling so I'm glad you didn't wait to start this thread.

I don't want this thread to scare anyone.  Each year, the most stolen car in the world is something like a Honda Accord or Toyota Corolla.  I like to think that most of us on this forum are sharp enough to assess our situations and do the practical.  These tips are just like spanners in your toolbox, use them when it's appropriate.  

For instance, when we congregate with better than 40 Pagodas at the PUB, we will have night time security.  But what about the drive in?  Mine will involve an overnight stop.  I don't know where yet.  Life isn't without risk.  I just want to have thought ahead and have options to fit the situation.  

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Ray,

You mentioned overnight stop. In the last 5 to 8 years of my business when I traveled (and this was often since my business was primarily field service and problem solving on large rotating equipment) I always stayed at B&B's I did this primarily for my car. Since I did travel quite a bit thruout the year I got to know the places and stayed there again and again when visiting and/or providing service to my customers.

So a few additional tips I like to share with the Group:-

 When traveling with your Pagoda find a nice B&B (naturally in the country not city) it makes for a more restful night sleep

I also have a ON/OF switch on my battery terminal (I use it on overnight stays).

I keep my garage door closed (no need to advertise what is in there).

When I stop for meals, I try to stop at places were I can keep an eye on my car.

If I have to park in an underground garage, I park very close to a wall and turn the front wheels to prevent towing the car (when I was driving my ///M3's I always did this since my wheels were always custom wheels and thieves loved them. A few of my friends found there ///M3 on blocks without wheels.

Happy and safe travels everyone!

PS. Some place I still have a stearing wheel locking stick, based on the article, I think I will find it and start using it again

[ChrisInNashville]

Well though, this raises an issue that has been covered over the years here - insurance.

If I recall correctly, my agreed value insurance requires my presence with the car or its storage in a locked garage.  I recall this being a concern to me when I was trying to make a Blacklick event several years ago.   

Feeling secure and being insured are mutually exclusive.

 Have some policy coverages become more lenient?

[hauser]

Your garage isn't as safe as you think it might be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSO_HTBHLFI

[Raymond]

My agreed value policy claims to cover theft when the car is in use.  Taking it to a car event is certainly covered.  I'm sure it varies from company to company so as one insurance company ad campaign states, "Know the Gaps."