Trail head theft

[Canyonram]

Has anyone experienced theft and/or vandalism of their vehicle after leaving it parked at the trail head? This is becoming a very common event at some of the trails close to urban areas and I wonder if it has happened to someone at Grand Canyon. (I hope the answer is NO.) Some of the GC trail heads are accessible at night with the 'overnight' parking clearly designated (Grandview comes to mind).

Last summer, I returned late to the BCO parking lot after a Clear Creek hike. My tire was flat----I had to unload my truck and made a ruckus getting the tire on-and-off. I was fully visible under the overhead parking lot lights and it dawned on me that I could just as easily be stealing a tire instead of replacing a flat. I was not challenged by anyone---Park Service or other hikers.

[joebartels]

This could be said of any website on virtually any gathering topic. No where on HAZ does it suggest to post meeting times or give out phone numbers, email addresses or post photos of yourself or property. Only members can view Events. If any member wants a password protected thread I can set that up. At which point the poster deals with PMs of everyone interested and gives out the password at their discretion.

As with other related issues in general life there's no need to live in fear. Protect yourself with insurance policies and/or be smart in your actions.

[azbackpackr]

Do you really think the knuckle-draggers who do this type of crime are onto HAZ? I doubt it. Not unthinkable, of course, but I doubt it.

[base871]

I doubt it too. Seems like alot of trouble for a backpack or radio or something petty. Now if they were out stealing cars, I would believe it.

[big_load]

a picture of your HAZ ride

I never know what my HAZ ride will look like until I reach the airport.

[Canyonram]

After posting the initial query I did a web search on the topic 'Trail head theft hiking backing,'

Backpacker Magazine has a 1995 article discussing the issue and hints to keep your property safe:
http://books.google.com/books?id=6d4DAA ... ad&f=false

If the link doesn't work, just do a search on: Trouble at the trailhead Backpacker Magazine

My favorite hint is to drive to the trailhead in a 'junker' vehicle. I've been driving one of those for years! LOL.

[joebartels]

Interesting read! I'm a fan of the trailhead alternative suggestions. Kudos on their efforts to install video cams. Although that one was stolen...lol (obviously wasn't obscure) Have to figure with the price of cam and recording technology declining so fast these will be more mainstream in the future. Though it probably will have to be self deployed as many government systems can't seem to figure out the basics of simply staying open.

[azbackpackr]

I'm still in favor of snipers...

[Jeffshadows]

Don't get your hopes up turning nice, crystal-clear video of a crime over to Tucson Police or PCSD. Our security officers do this all the time and they have yet to actually catch anyone. One guy we caught on tape throwing a Molotov at our emergency department wasn't caught until days later after he sought treatment at a local urgent care for injuries sustained in the Molotov incident and tried to light the doctor's desk on fire...

[joebartels]

I've run across that myself in a job a couple years ago. With nearly seven billion people in the world the evidence you submit must be leadable.

Perhaps a shot of cars entering/leaving, then again anybody can cover up their tags.

[Jeffshadows]

MacE & Lots Cattle Co. - Take the tour, you'll be left speechless! (discounts available for copper miners)

[joebartels]

Ya just stay outta my dreams

[Dave1]

Scottsdale police says woman breaking into cars at trailheads

The latest vehicle break-in happened Nov. 19 at the Lost Dog Trailhead. Cards were used at a Tempe Target, Lowes and Shell gas station, police said.

Photo and the rest of the story at http://www.azcentral.com/community/scot ... s-brk.html

[azbackpackr]

Why do people leave their cards in their cars? Cards are small and easy to put in your pocket or pack. Hope they catch the gal and make her hike Flatiron every day for a month.

[kingsnake]

Most crooks have low impulse control. Remove their impulse trigger, and they will steal from someone else. Or, in other words, don't leave anything even remotely valuable in plain view. (Trunk it.)

[Dave1]

Hope they catch the gal and make her hike Flatiron every day for a month.

That's not a punishment. I'd be doing that if I lived closer.

[joebartels]

just heard 1 in 11 holiday shoppers leaves with one unpaid item

[SuperstitionGuy]

just heard 1 in 11 holiday shoppers leaves with one unpaid item

Just a thought but how many registered users of HAZ in essence do the same thing?

Joe, you do not have to answer that question.

[Alston_Neal]

just heard 1 in 11 holiday shoppers leaves with one unpaid item

Ha! Not in my gallery, but then again they would actually have to buy something...

My son told me that one day at a TH he saw 2 women pull up in their car, pop the hood from inside and throw their purses into the engine compartment.
Then locked the car and took off hiking.
My son now does the same thing.......with his wallet, not a purse....I know how you folks think.

[kingsnake]

Maybe they have better memories than me, but I would return to the trailhead, hop in my car, and turn my wallet into confetti ... ;)

[autumnstars]

Never had anything stolen at a trailhead, but have had my gear stolen from camp before. Left everything in a tent for the day, but when we came back that evening, everything was gone. Whoever took it did leave the stove and fuel, which we had left outside the tent in the shade. The one consolation was that the tent was terrible and my sleeping bag was on its last leg - never got over the loss of my Chacos, though. This wasn't in a campground or along a trail, just randomly off the road on BLM land. Lesson learned, I suppose. Don't leave anything where anyone can see it from any kind of road at all, especially when it's not a very remote area.