[mango23]

Well we have been robbed again. My wife's bike was stolen today. It was parked on the property under the stairs, not visible from the street. We have a 6 foot wood fence. It was locked with a Kryptonite lock. Interestingly enough I now see on youtube videos that show how to pick these locks with a Bic pen. So much for a $40.00 lock. In the last year or so we have been reduced to not even wanting to leave the house unattended. We usually only go out separately so someone can stay home. We have a lot of art and collectables and even though we have a security alarm I still don't want to leave. I am so disgusted I just want to own nothing anymore. What is the use, you can't even enjoy it.

I live in Fort Lauderdale by the way near the beach. Not exactly a ghetto. My neighbor lost her new car about a month ago. I have had four bikes stolen since the first of the year about $2000.00 worth. Yard tools and screens cut as someone tried to get in about two months ago. Here is the thing I carry a gun as does my wife. It is a matter of time before I kill someone. At some point It will happen when I am here. As you can tell I am angry as I am writing this. I really can't stand it anymore.

I should add this. Since the bike was not even visible from the street and it took a professional thief to open the lock or at least one that knew what to bring, I have to wonder if I was set up. People come on the property like Comcast people, the guy who reads the meter and so on. You have no idea who these people are and they can finger you real easy. They just tip off their thief friend and thats it. FP&L by the way I believe don't even read their own meters anymore, they have subcontractors who do it. I swear some of these people look like former homeless people working for minimum wage.

I don't think I am being paranoid, this is common. Anyone who comes in your house or on your property can set you up. I was robbed once by the brother of my bartender. They knew I kept a lot of money in the house at times and they knew we were away. They gave me back the money when they found out I had figured out who did it.

[compelled to reply]

Hi macguy. I'm very sorry to hear about your incident and prior ones. Again, though, that's not a robbery. Robbery indicates that somebody jumped you for your wallet or pointed a gun at your back in your driveway. That's actually grand theft, possibly petty theft. Other terms...

Burglary- Breaking and entering with the intent to commit a crime

The burglar broke into a home and stole a TV. He ran as soon as he saw someone come home.

Robbery- The act of seizing property by personal force and violence

The robber pointed a gun at the mans back, told him not to move, and stole his wallet and car keys.

Home invasion robbery- burglary with the homeowner being personally forced to withdraw property

I was a victim of a home invasion robbery when a man broke into my house and held me up in my living room.

Grand theft- Stealing property worth over $100

The thief stole a bicycle that was valued at $250 dollars, therefore commiting grand theft.


The term "robbery" should not be thrown around that easily.

Also, you don't sound like you live in a great neighborhood IMO. Are you west of the intercoastal, or down by 17th St if not?

[mango23]

Originally Posted by compelled to reply

Hi macguy. I'm very sorry to hear about your incident and prior ones. Again, though, that's not a robbery. Robbery indicates that somebody jumped you for your wallet or pointed a gun at your back in your driveway. That's actually petty theft. Other terms...

Burglary- Breaking and entering with the intent to commit a crime
Robbery- The act of seizing property by personal force and violence
Home invasion robbery- burglary with the homeowner being personally forced to withdraw property
Grand theft- Stealing property worth over $100
Auto theft- the act of stealing a car

You don't sound like you live in a great neighborhood IMO. Are you west of the intercostal, or down by 17th St if not?

I live in Rio Vista a block from the intercostal. Cheapest house in my area even in todays market is around $750,000. It is a bad area in this respect. High Dollar areas are often targeted for crime. I "have" been robbed at gun point by the way, It was a while ago though. That was the reason for getting the gun permit and now spending a few hours every month at the range. I used to carry a gun at times but not legally. Now I always do, it goes with me like my wallet.

Here is another thing regarding your comment. What you call petty theft often turns into something much worse. Many rapes did not start out as an intended rape but a break and the woman happens to be there. Same with many killings. People are killed all they time over what would be classified and started out as petty. Once the crime is happening there is no way to know what how far it will go. Cops are often killed during simple traffic stops. A criminal is capable of anything and I have no interest in trying to guess which ones are more dangerous.

[compelled to reply]

Originally Posted by mango23

I live in Rio Vista a block from the intercostal. Cheapest house in my area even in todays market is around $750,000. It is a bad area in this respect. High Dollar areas are often targeted for crime. I "have" been robbed at gun point by the way, It was a while ago though. That was the reason for getting the gun permit and now spending a few hours every month at the range. I used to carry a gun at times but not legally. Now I always do, it goes with me like my wallet.

Here is another thing regarding your comment. What you call petty theft often turns into something much worse. Many rapes did not start out as an intended rape but a break and the woman happens to be there. Same with many killings. People are killed all they time over what would be classified and started out as petty. Once the crime is happening there is no way to know what how far it will go. Cops are often killed during simple traffic stops. A criminal is capable of anything and I have no interest in trying to guess which ones are more dangerous.

Thanks for the feedback on the first part, gives me some perspective. Again, sorry to hear about your loss. Of course, you are also right in your second paragraph, and there was indeed a burglar a couple months ago in Victoria Park that broke into homes and then raped female victims.

[hiknapster]

I thought you sold your house for a million, quite some time ago. What happened?

[mango23]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

I thought you sold your house for a million, quite some time ago. What happened?

That was the Ocean Dr. property. My father bought a lot of stuff over the years that my sister and I inherited. You have a good memory. My dad came here in the 40's and it was hard to do anything wrong back then. At one point he owned a good stretch of Andrews Ave near the hospital. He also owned property where the Points of America are now by the jetties and had a partnership with George Gill who owned the Yankee Clipper Hotel and developed much of the beach area. I think the George Gill family still owns that hotel, he just died recently he must of been like a 100.

[Huckleberry3911948]

being ripped off feels bad, having to kill someone feels much worse.

[mango23]

Originally Posted by Huckleberry3911948

being ripped off feels bad, having to kill someone feels much worse.

That can be debatable. The older I get the less tolerant I am. Years ago I wrote a short story called "Terminal". I was about terminally ill people setting a few things right, or at least to their way of thinking, since they were now beyond anyones ability to punish them. Everyone probably has a mental list of people who they would be happy to take with them if the inevitable was near. Usually it is a question preceded by, "If you knew you would not get caught".
In their case the worry of being caught was removed. Much like murders who take their own lives. It is the ultimate escape.

[Huckleberry3911948]

Originally Posted by mango23

That can be debatable. The older I get the less tolerant I am. Years ago I wrote a short story called "Terminal". I was about terminally ill people setting a few things right, or at least to their way of thinking, since they were now beyond anyones ability to punish them. Everyone probably has a mental list of people who they would be happy to take with them if the inevitable was near. Usually it is a question preceded by, "If you knew you would not get caught".
In their case the worry of being caught was removed. Much like murders who take their own lives. It is the ultimate escape.

yes yes. so true. when you get ready to take revenge be sure to dig 2 graves.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by mango23

That was the Ocean Dr. property. My father bought a lot of stuff over the years that my sister and I inherited. You have a good memory. My dad came here in the 40's and it was hard to do anything wrong back then. At one point he owned a good stretch of Andrews Ave near the hospital. He also owned property where the Points of America are now by the jetties and had a partnership with George Gill who owned the Yankee Clipper Hotel and developed much of the beach area. I think the George Gill family still owns that hotel, he just died recently he must of been like a 100.

You have a fascinating story, so I remember.

What you need to do is move to a place that reminds you somewhat of the Florida that you used to know. Nothing will be like it used to be, but things are not changing for the better in your neighborhood. I know you've been looking and I hope you find it.