Dumpster diving (apartment, crimes, house)

[CESpeed]

It never ceases to amaze me what upsets people. No one cares that homeless shleters and programs are closing left and right so there are fewer resources to help homeless people get back on their feet (those who want to), but we want to call the police because they are digging in the trash.

Let them recycle your trash. They are not hurting you. Recycling is good for the environment and recycling gives them their own money without having to beg for it.

Any responsible person who is concerned about identity theft, responsibly shreads important documents so that the information cannot be used. A document shreader costs about $30 at Staples, Office Depot or Office Max.

[SandyCo]

CESpeed, I have no problem with people recycling and going through my trash, because they don't throw the rest of the trash out of the dumpster! I think that is what VP is complaining about - well, that, and the fact that since it's fenced in, these people have to make the effort to climb over the fence to get in. That's a little scary; I wouldn't be happy about it, either.

[vegaspilgrim]

Ok....never mind then, question answered... I guess people jumping over gated entries and dumpster diving is normal behavior here. That's what I figured... just wanted to check. I'm with lovehound on this one-- I don't see how jumping in a filthy dumpster and tearing open garbage bags is not a major public health concern. Hey... great idea, maybe next time you see one of those dumpster divers you should invite one of them into your house to use your bathroom and take a shower and sort out their treasures on your living room floor. After all, they're doing a public service, right-- so why not be a hero and honor these public servants? Thing is, they also did this at the apartment complex I was living at in Phoenix, but that was a huge complex, not gated, and it felt really anonymous. I guess now it just hits home harder because this is only one apartment building. I now think I'm going to buy a paper shredder this weekend-- the identify theft issue never even occurred to me, but it should have.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

It never ceases to amaze me what upsets people. No one cares that homeless shleters and programs are closing left and right so there are fewer resources to help homeless people get back on their feet (those who want to), but we want to call the police because they are digging in the trash.

The recycling program plus the presence of recyclable containers in our trash cans combines to form an attractive nuisance. The laxity of the border patrol plus government's lack of effectiveness in preventing those who have no right to work in the US from working is another attractive nuisance. These encourage people who do not have any legal right to immigrate to the US to come here and add to our homeless population. The real way to solve the homeless problem is to recycle the illegal aliens into legal residents of their country of origin. If only the government would do their job.

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

I now think I'm going to buy a paper shredder this weekend-- the identify theft issue never even occurred to me, but it should have.

You should have gotten one long ago. There is a real and serious danger of identity theft and I believe that owning a paper shredder is essential in today's dangerous world. You'll rest much easier knowing that you've turned all that sensitive paper you toss out into hamster bedding.

Get a good cross-cut shredder. I like my Fellowes P600C-2 which I purchased at either Office Depot or Staples, I forgot which. Get a reasonably heavy duty model as the smaller ones tend to burn out if you use them for more than a few sheets at a time. That's what happened to my first unit, it more or less melted down. Get a model at least one level more expensive than you think you need. It will be money well spent.

[Clnconcpts]

Originally Posted by JTGJR

One SHOULD care if they're not careful about what else they throw into the garbage- credit card offers, old bank statements, canceled checks, etc. I've seen "divers" going through my trash on the sidewalk. I now wait until I hear the trash trucks before I put my trash out. Even my recycling can.

I would hope you were smart enough to shred all documents that contain any info about you.Dont want to be a victim to identity theft.

[Humanoid]

I don't see how jumping in a filthy dumpster and tearing open garbage bags is not a major public health concern.

Well, I've never seen someone jump in a dumpster naked and role around in the trash. All the people I see dumpster diving for cans are fully clothed and have gloves on. In reality there may be just as much bacteria living on your keyboard than in the trash. This is really just a mental thing, its "gross". But its not a health concern, no more than your dirty keyboard is.

Anyhow, I would like to emphasize that this isn't just an LA issue. This happens in any decent sized city, regardless if you get money for cans or not. There are other goodies you can find in the trash.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

Well, I've never seen someone jump in a dumpster naked and role around in the trash. All the people I see dumpster diving for cans are fully clothed and have gloves on. In reality there may be just as much bacteria living on your keyboard than in the trash. This is really just a mental thing, its "gross". But its not a health concern, no more than your dirty keyboard is.

I don't have any rotting food, dirty diapers, used condoms, or used needles on my keyboard.

[JTGJR]

Originally Posted by Clnconcpts

I would hope you were smart enough to shred all documents that contain any info about you.Dont want to be a victim to identity theft.

Apparently, I was misunderstood. Of course I shred my docs, but I don't think that most do. I was rebutting the notion of "who cares if someone digs in 'your' trash." I couldn't care less if someone wants to take my old newspapers, cans and bottles. But I, personally, don't want anyone digging through my trash cans in my driveway.

Think about it. Do you shred every item that is addressed to your children, if you have them. So, now they have the name of your children. Next, do you shred each item you receive from their school? Now they know the name of your children, where they go to school and, roughly,their age(s).

This is just one example of information that I don't want someone pulling from my trash. How many others can y'all think of. Appointment postcards from your doctor? Old boarding passes that might show that you travel a couple of days each week? I think we'd all be amazed at what can be learned from a seemingly innocuous bag of trash.

May sound paranoid, but it's the world we live in.

[MIKEETC]

Sounds like the homeless vagrants in your neighborhood are implementing 2/3 of the phrase Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

If you don't do it, who will?

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by Humanoid

All the people I see dumpster diving for cans are fully clothed and have gloves on.

In my neighborhood I've never seen a single one of them wearing gloves.