Upper Moreland Township: Tough On Crime
By Wyatt Earp | October 12, 2010
And even tougher on its citizens. The township is considering a new tactic for combating stolen autos in their jurisdiction.
A suburban Philadelphia township is considering whether to fine people who don’t lock their car doors. Commissioners in Upper Moreland Township are debating an ordinance that would require people to lock their car doors when parked in public areas — or face a citation and a $25 fine.
Police Chief Thomas Nestel says that since 2008 three-quarters of each year’s reported thefts in the township are from cars left unlocked.
What an idiotic waste of officers’ time. If people don’t lock their doors, they deserve to get their cars stolen. Nestel used to work here in Philly, and was a high-ranking police supervisor when he left. He’s one of those love him or hate him types, but he knew his stuff. Personally, I don’t know what the frak he’s thinking here.
Topics: The Job | 20 Comments »
October 12th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
Tell me again is this supposed to be a “Crime Deterrent” or more of a “Revenue Stream”?
It sounds more like a Revenue Stream to me.
October 12th, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I can’t imagine what’s wrong with this idea?
It’s a time honored tradition to punish the victim of a crime. Afterall, it’s certainly not the criminals fault.
October 12th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Nannystatism. Wear your seat belt (which is a good idea, actually!), wear a helmet, lock your car, eat your veggies, don’t eat sugar, don’t eat salt, don’t drink sugary colas, don’t smoke…
October 12th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
If you leave your doors unlocked and get ripped off tough.
I lock our van doors in the garage.A little over kill.But as a former Correctional Officer I am security minded.
October 12th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
I believe it’s your right as an American to choose not to lock your car. However, if that’s what you decide, and someone steals the iPod and three pairs of sunglasses out of your car, as they did in my neighborhood last week, you gambled and lost. Do people really need the police to be their common sense?
October 12th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
Wyatt:
I remember a lot of those township officers being REAL strict about existing laws…but this is bordering on the ridiculous.
Here in Fort wayne, I do the same thing RICK does…lock the car while it’s in a LOCKED garage.
In my part of the ghettohood, one can NEVER be too cautious.
Did the same in Philly, and that was in Wissinoming (when it was a lot nicer).
I’m supposing (like Ferrell Gummitt) this is a money-maker to fund whatever GRANTS will be drying up next year…just a thought.
Stay safe.
October 12th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
That’s it, blame the victim. I can’t wait to see the town’s rape-prevention strategy.
October 12th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Dang! If we have to lock the doors it thwarts the… ‘enticing’ wallet left on the dashboard that can be easily grabbed that contains 2 ozs of C-4 and a remote battery detonater… plan. Or the bottle of whiskey on the passenger seat with the label steamed off and 4 oz of rat poison added then the seal reglued back on…plan. Oops! Nevermind.
October 12th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
John D hit the nail right on the head, so what’s next? Women who don’t wear jeans/slacks and get raped are going to get fined?
October 12th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
[...] Moreland Township, in suburban Philadelphia, wants to fine citizens who don’t lock their cars. Funny, I kind of though the punishment for that was [...]
October 12th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
BTW, if you’ve been getting a bunch of hits from Facebook and been wondering where they’re from, I’ve been linking a few of your stories.
October 12th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Mrs C.: Your ipod story reminded me of this one fellow who used to take his car stereo out of his dash and lay it on the front seat under his Bible.
One day, sure enough, he came back to his car and his Bible was still there!
October 12th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Ferrell – It’s ABSOLUTELY a revenue stream. I would have more respect for them if they called it what it was.
Vince – Not at all. Criminals are discriminated against because of their choice of career.
Proof – Unless you’re a politician . . .
Rick – Agreed. If you don’t lock the doors, whose fault is it?
Mrs. Crankipants – In this day and age, yes!
Bob G. – Probably need a shiny new building somewhere.
John D – $500 fine for dressing provocatively.
Jon – Not bad ideas at all.
DL474 – I did notice. Thank you very much!
October 12th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
I have owned convertables in the past and never locked them. It is common sense, leave it unlocked and the thief will look around and take what they want. Lock it and they cut the roof and take what they want. After the second time my roof was cut the claims guy from my insurance company told me to just leave the door unlocked.
Will this law make convertable and jeep owners put their roof up every time they park?
Will there be a law requiring motorcycles be parked in garages?
Most importantly if I see an idling cop car parked outside Wawa, is it my civic duty to open the door, lock it and close the door?
October 12th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
Boycott this township.
October 12th, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Ed – Absolutely! When I was in patrol, one of my fellow officers did that and some toad jumped in and stole the police car. Funny as Hell.
Bob – At the very least don’t park there!
October 12th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Wyatt… even funnier were some of us trying to break the window to drag the toad through it… When each of us had a key.
October 12th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Wagonsux – Not exactly our finest hour, but it was damned entertaining.
October 12th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Jawohl, Herr Kommissar!!
*rolls eyes* What a liberal asshat point of view, as an answer to crime prevention.
October 13th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
“That’s it, blame the victim. I can’t wait to see the town’s rape-prevention strategy…”
Prick! You owe me a new monitor!
BTW, 1/2 the LE Chiefs, Prison guards/prison officials and elected ppl from dog cathcher to commisssioners, to judges etc… here in Lackawanna/Luzerne county (Pa) are being sentenced or under indictment. Are they planting evidence (no disrespect, Sir) or stealing stuff themselves. Like they do here!