Car theft problems (Atlanta: movies, luxury, price)

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by Born 2 Roll

Yeah, I agree and can definitely see how people can get too comfortable and/or complacent while seemingly being totally oblivious to one’s surroundings.

But I’m still having trouble wrapping my mind around why someone like Ludacris would leave his luxury vehicle (a black Mercedes-Benz) unlocked and running with the keys inside, probably some distance away from the car with his back turned to the car while at the ATM?

... It’s something that is strongly ill-advised just about anywhere and everywhere, but particularly in an area like Downtown Atlanta, where there is a very high population of extremely transient people often wandering the streets, and a place that has been the subject of many rap songs about crimes like carjacking and robbery, including many songs by Ludacris himself.

A figure like Ludacris should know much better than to leave one’s luxury vehicle unlocked and running while unattended for any length of time, including and particularly in a city/metro like Atlanta, and especially in an urban neighborhood like Downtown Atlanta. But yet, he did it anyway.

I particularly am not the most influenced by rap or hip hop so I probably do not have the best answers, however; just based on what I know about some people who are, some of them tend to have this ideal about becoming, or being the 'top dog' so to speak and in doing so, they believe they become invincible, regardless of what real mortal threats lie around them. Maybe its an ego thing. I'm unsure though. It could have also very well have been an innocent mistake on his part as well...everyone has moments when they let their guards down, otherwise we wouldn't need insurance

Another thing to note about comfort is, Atlanta's more dangerous areas, can actually come off deceivingly safe, secure and even upkept...so potential victims, especially those unfamiliar with the areas may put themselves more at ease to do things they shouldn't do in the sakes of safety thinking it will be okay... So there is that too.

[NC2ATL60]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Maybe it is a generational thing.

It would never cross my mind to walk away and leave my car running and unlocked.

What is the point of having car keys if you're going to do that?

Nah I think it’s more of a careless and stupid people thing. I’m younger than Luda and would never (especially in Atlanta) leave my car running and walk away.

[RecursiveLoop]

As a officer, regardless of what people do with their property.......An environment of less tolerance for car thieves with 0 mercy on sentencing may help a lot. These thieves know better than to ever try this in places like Manalapan FL.

And no... "prison reform" help for them either.

[bellhead]

Originally Posted by RecursiveLoop

As a officer, regardless of what people do with their property.......An environment of less tolerance for car thieves with 0 mercy on sentencing may help a lot. These thieves know better than to ever try this in places like Manalapan FL.

And no... "prison reform" help for them either.

Bigger issue is how the crime is prosecuted. My friends sad sack of **** son has stolen 2 cars in the last 6 months & walked both times. First time he "borrowed" a car with another meth head & drove it 4 states away for 2 weeks until he was caught breaking & entering. 2nd time from a hospital emergency lot where a guy had walked his wife in who was having a heart attack. The car was left running, he jumped in & took off. Police had him on video taking the car, charges were dropped he if agreed to tell them where the car was left at.

Both times it was grand theft auto, but he wasn't charged because the owner was able to retrieve the cars with his help.

[brownhornet]

Well maybe if cops didn't fill up jails with people with simple possession weed charges they'd have room for actual criminals. Boy oh boy now that private prisons can't profit off of prison labor I can't wait to see how they change the system.

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by brownhornet

Well maybe if cops didn't fill up jails with people with simple possession weed charges they'd have room for actual criminals. Boy oh boy now that private prisons can't profit off of prison labor I can't wait to see how they change the system.

Admittedly on this one I can agree.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by NC2ATL60

Nah I think it’s more of a careless and stupid people thing. I’m younger than Luda and would never (especially in Atlanta) leave my car running and walk away.

It may depend on the circumstances. Some wealthy people may be able to pick up their phone and say "Bring me another Mercedes" and have one there in short order. If so, why go through all the hassle of turning off your car and locking the door when you're only getting out for a few minutes?

[Need4Camaro]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It may depend on the circumstances. Some wealthy people may be able to pick up their phone and say "Bring me another Mercedes" and have one there in short order. If so, why go through all the hassle of turning off your car and locking the door when you're only getting out for a few minutes?

lol. The wealthiest people are actually the most fickle about spending, so they are not careless about their possessions. Dubious may be another story though.

[architect77]

Originally Posted by arjay57

Do gas stations and convenience store owners need to do more to prevent car thefts?

We need a public campaign urging better parenting.

We need to get to the root of the problem, because for decades our correctional system hasn't served as a deterrent, and now much of it is privatized and once introduced into the system, profit is made off keeping individuals in the system one way or another. It's a racket preying on offenders without any training to walk another path once time is served.

I'll bet many youth see crime as just as a way to make it in the world, no different from any other line of work.

Establishment of better goals must start very early on when kids are preparing to enter kindergarten.

A public ad campaign calling for less criminal acts would help just as plainly as that. The media dictates what's on our minds at any given time.

[architect77]

Originally Posted by arjay57

It may depend on the circumstances. Some wealthy people may be able to pick up their phone and say "Bring me another Mercedes" and have one there in short order. If so, why go through all the hassle of turning off your car and locking the door when you're only getting out for a few minutes?

If that's too much for an adult to remember and practice, then they shouldn't be allowed to drive at all.