21 ms·

As a courtesy to people looking for wheels? Or is this a reverse psychology thing where people are supposed to think it’s already been checked by others

function_seven 5y ago
One rationale I've seen is, "If my car is likely to be broken into, I'd rather not have to replace the window." For example, "they stole my $20 from my center console, but broke a $200 window to get to it." I also wonder if potential thieves think a car with open windows is a bait car or something. Probably not often enough in its own right to justify leaving things open?
- vuln 5y ago
  I commented earlier that I left the top down or doors unlocked on my convertibles. A window or a cut top is far more expensive to replace than my $100 aftermarket radio. I’ve actually had a radio faceplate stolen once.
xyst 5y ago
The idea behind it is that the criminal will not have to break the windows which is more costly to replace than what was in the center console. Sort of violates the idea of a "smash and grab" though. You want to minimize the noise generated and time spent and maximize the potential profit gained. Typically, you just inspect what is in plain view of the vehicle and if there's anything that has value (ie, backpack, clothes, cell phones) then it's a good target. If there's nothing in plain view, then there's no point in attracting attention and increasing the chances of getting caught. Of course, there are some municipalities that have decriminalized or refuse to prosecute this type of theft so that negative reinforcement no longer applies and you just get people that smash all windows and search entire vehicles. Anecdotally, just following the idea of "nothing in value being in plain view" has worked wonderfully for me. Works locally in my somewhat big city and when traveling to other big cities.

21 ms·

As a courtesy to people looking for wheels? Or is this a reverse psychology thing where people are supposed to think it’s already been checked by others

by vmception 5y ago

function_seven 5y ago
One rationale I've seen is, "If my car is likely to be broken into, I'd rather not have to replace the window." For example, "they stole my $20 from my center console, but broke a $200 window to get to it." I also wonder if potential thieves think a car with open windows is a bait car or something. Probably not often enough in its own right to justify leaving things open?
- vuln 5y ago
  I commented earlier that I left the top down or doors unlocked on my convertibles. A window or a cut top is far more expensive to replace than my $100 aftermarket radio. I’ve actually had a radio faceplate stolen once.
xyst 5y ago
The idea behind it is that the criminal will not have to break the windows which is more costly to replace than what was in the center console. Sort of violates the idea of a "smash and grab" though. You want to minimize the noise generated and time spent and maximize the potential profit gained. Typically, you just inspect what is in plain view of the vehicle and if there's anything that has value (ie, backpack, clothes, cell phones) then it's a good target. If there's nothing in plain view, then there's no point in attracting attention and increasing the chances of getting caught. Of course, there are some municipalities that have decriminalized or refuse to prosecute this type of theft so that negative reinforcement no longer applies and you just get people that smash all windows and search entire vehicles. Anecdotally, just following the idea of "nothing in value being in plain view" has worked wonderfully for me. Works locally in my somewhat big city and when traveling to other big cities.