Mass vehicle break-ins of cars/trucks parked outside near Cobo Hall?

**R8RBOB** · February-28-11, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Probably a good time to remind all not to leave anything of value visible in the car.

Ain't that the truth.

**ejames01** · February-28-11, 12:50 PM

I never ever park on that street downtown.

DetroitDad · February-28-11, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by rhythmc

I agree. People doing this know that to make people fearful will slow down the arrival of newcomers so they aren't pushed out as quickly. Especially if they aren't taking anything.

I've had my car broken into in very highly populated areas when the streets are literally crawling with people. I've also had a break-in attempt in a very wealthy area in a parking garage. Things like this can happen anywhere at anytime.

It's really hard to tell where this is coming from, and I can only speculate. The fact that these crimes seem to rise on non-school nights seem to support English's view. On the other hand, there is definitely a real fear and resentment by some, that think that gentrification is happening in Detroit, and are actively pushing for a stop of renovations and infill.

Detroit has also been a focal point of hate groups. I've dealt with those yahoos via threatening hate mail before, and that doesn't seem like it would be below them.

**RedeemerKid** · February-28-11, 01:14 PM

I went to a Friday afternoon [[4pm) HS Football game at Detroit Renaissance High this past fall. DPS cops were very visible on my way in as I parked. On the way out, in the lot that DPS cops were earlier patrolling, there were no fewer than 6 vehicles with windows smashed in. DPS cops were there taking police reports.

I ask, where were the DPS cops DURING THE GAME??

**DetroitPlanner** · February-28-11, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by bailey

That, "f you, this is detroit and how it is" sentiment is exactly why retail will never come back to downtown and there will continue to be massive leakage of detroit resident's spending dollars to the suburbs.

Are you saying that providing free parking is the answer to Detroit's problems? Try finding a place to park for free in Manhatten or Chicago's CBD. If you don't want your car broken into you have options. These options include taking the bus or paying to park inside a secure structure.

**bailey** · February-28-11, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Are you saying that providing free parking is the answer to Detroit's problems? Try finding a place to park for free in Manhatten or Chicago's CBD. If you don't want your car broken into you have options. These options include taking the bus or paying to park inside a secure structure.

You are confabulating two issues. Paying for parking is one issue. Ransacking of cars is another. No I don't believe there should be free parking in the CBD. However, I do believe I should be able to park my car on a game night ...or to go to dinner ..or go into a shop...or whatever... at a meter or a surface lot on one of Detroit's main and heavily trafficked areas and come back to an intact car. I think that's a pretty basic expectation one should be able to have. But of course this is Detroit, the bar is set considerably lower.

**Jimaz** · February-28-11, 03:08 PM

The last time this topic came up someone recommended just leaving the car unlocked with the windows down and no valuables present.

Is that a good or bad idea?

DetroitPole · February-28-11, 03:15 PM

If I legally park at a meter I am effectively paying for parking. Why? The city is supposed to provide a semblance of law and order because that is what my taxes pay for. I'm not saying you can get away with being some asshat who leaves his GPS and laptop out, but to fault people for legally parking on the street is absolutely absurd. That really does sound like Mad Max times. This isn't supposed to be Mogadishu, and I'm sick of people acting like it is, and its okay, because "big cities have their problems."
What's next? The next time some innocent victim loses their life you hardasses will be saying, "well big cities are dangerous, it happens everywhere, they should have saw it coming." Way to blame the victim.
And I live in Detroit and have never been to Somerset.
Terrorism? Give me a break. Hey, maybe L. Brooks Patterson is going around smashing people's windows so they stay in Oakland County instead of spending money in downtown Detroit. You know Detroit has had a bit of a street crime problem, for, oh, 40+ years now, and I'd like you to show me some evidence that it has been tied to domestic terrorism.

**Detroitnerd** · February-28-11, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

The last time this topic came up someone recommended just leaving the car unlocked with the windows down and no valuables present.

Is that a good or bad idea?

Good idea for dealing with simple theft of things in the car. Leave no shopping bags visible. Make sure you disengage the trunk cable so they can't get in there. Drive a stick. Don't drive anything that can be punched easily. Park away from sandbags. The usual advice ...

**Kathleen** · February-28-11, 05:56 PM

Ray1936's advice is one to take to heart.

A few years back, when we were attending a show at the Fox Theatre, we parked on one of the side streets west of Woodward a couple blocks north of the Fisher Fwy. Came back after the show to find that the cars in front and behind us as well as across the street, about 5 or so cars total, had been broken into. I had nothing of value visible in the car, and it was untouched.

Also...last Sunday while giving a tour of Detroit to a work colleague visiting our offices from the UK, his first visit to Detroit, we were driving through Brush Park...and saw broken auto window glass up and down both sides of Edmund between Woodward and John R. Someone must have had a field day during the last Lions home game or some other fairly recent event at the Fox or in the area. I'd be hardpressed to park my car on the street, given that!

**cman710** · February-28-11, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

Ray1936's advice is one to take to heart.
Also...last Sunday while giving a tour of Detroit to a work colleague visiting our offices from the UK, his first visit to Detroit, we were driving through Brush Park...and saw broken auto window glass up and down both sides of Edmund between Woodward and John R. Someone must have had a field day during the last Lions home game or some other fairly recent event at the Fox or in the area. I'd be hardpressed to park my car on the street, given that!

A few years ago [[not sure if that was one of the times we saw you or the one time you were not in town), my wife and I parked in Brush Park for a Tiger's game and had no problems, but it was a day game, and we had a small rental car with nothing of value. No one on the block appeared to have any problems, though. That was several years ago, though.

**Jimaz** · February-28-11, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Kathleen

... broken auto window glass ...

I think that's traditionally euphemized on the forum as "Detroit diamonds."

DetroitDad · February-28-11, 06:47 PM

Unbreakable glass film. While not completely unbreakable, it certainly would change the game.

Another issue we haven't talked about is catalytic converter thefts. I have several friends and co-workers who have had bypasses done, as they keep getting their catalytic converters stolen. That is, of course, illegal. There are security systems available to protect converters as well. Here is a link to one of them that gets good ratings: http://catclamp.com/

Proslack · February-28-11, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Lowell

... or who owns parking lots that sit empty as drivers choose to park park free on Sundays or other non-enforced hours next to their lots.

There is free all day parking downtown any time you want, I use it nearly every single time I am downtown [[3 days a week) for as many hours as my heart desires. I even used it when I worked the auto show. Its called parking at the Greektown casino valet and taking the People Mover to which ever area of Downtown you want. All you gotta do is tip a buck or two

**xphillipjrx** · March-01-11, 12:19 PM

One of the TV guys had his laptop stolen outside of the court building. They set up a camera and found a guy plus his lookout breaking into cars. Many people show up to the court and have to return to their car because bags etc aren't allowed. The thieves hit right after the people go back inside the building. Looks like that TV coverage really helped...

**drjeff** · March-01-11, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by cman710

A few years ago [[not sure if that was one of the times we saw you or the one time you were not in town), my wife and I parked in Brush Park for a Tiger's game and had no problems, but it was a day game, and we had a small rental car with nothing of value. No one on the block appeared to have any problems, though. That was several years ago, though.

I go to 25-30 Tigers games a year, and used to almost always park on John R, north of Alfred. Never had any problems until last season, when there were suddenly more homeless guys patrolling the area and asking for $5 to "watch your car." I think a lot of them lived in the apartment building on Watson that recently burned and was rapidly torn down, as I would often see them hanging out in the park outside.

Now I pay $10 and park in the Opera House garage.

For the sake of comparison, you can pay upwards of $15 PER HOUR to park in downtown Chicago, and even more in Manhattan. So $10 is pretty damn good.

**Supersport** · March-01-11, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by DetroitPlanner

Paying to park is cheap insurance folks. This is Detroit, it ain't the mall. Want free parking? Go to Somerset.

Funny you should mention Somerset, as I believe more cars are stolen from Somerset than any other specific location in the suburbs. I'm sure the malls closeness to the freeway for a quick getaway is a major factor.

**Jowlska** · March-01-11, 07:00 PM

You could also take DDOT or SMART bus downtown to avoid getting your car vandalized. No need to wait for light rail to take public transit!

**leland_palmer** · March-01-11, 07:13 PM

Originally Posted by xphillipjrx

One of the TV guys had his laptop stolen outside of the court building. They set up a camera and found a guy plus his lookout breaking into cars. Many people show up to the court and have to return to their car because bags etc aren't allowed. The thieves hit right after the people go back inside the building. Looks like that TV coverage really helped...

That was at the Wayne County Juvenile Court building. Completely different area.

**Zacha341** · March-02-11, 01:14 AM

Argh [[smile)! Sure, I've ridden the buss and mass transit has it's pluses... BUT I want to be able to 'DRIVE' and Park a CAR for as long as I am able! I'm even willing to pay a reasonable amount to do so... I don't want to ride public transpo as a response to breakin's and theft.

Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

Light rail will remedy those pesky little break-ins, Ta Da......This was a serious problem at Tiger Stadium....till they tore down the stadium.

**CLAUDE G** · March-02-11, 02:07 AM

Originally Posted by xphillipjrx

One of the TV guys had his laptop stolen outside of the court building. They set up a camera and found a guy plus his lookout breaking into cars. Many people show up to the court and have to return to their car because bags etc aren't allowed. The thieves hit right after the people go back inside the building. Looks like that TV coverage really helped...

I remember seeing that on Channel 7, and the ladies who got their purses stolen where pist at Channel 7 because they filmed it and let the guys get away without trying to stop them.

**Zacha341** · March-02-11, 10:11 AM

Diamonds ala broken glass! Now that is funny! LOL!

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I think that's traditionally euphemized on the forum as "Detroit diamonds."

**Zacha341** · March-02-11, 10:14 AM

I was hip to the 'court house' visit scam years ago... you just go there without a purse from home - just take you ID. It's all such a hassle. Hard to find a spot if you have to do business in that area. Park in the wrong area and the city tow truck will get your car. At least it won't be stolen or vandelized. Just at the city pound. I'm so glad my business downtown is limited...

Originally Posted by CLAUDE G

I remember seeing that on Channel 7, and the ladies who got their purses stolen where pist at Channel 7 because they filmed it and let the guys get away without trying to stop them.

**iheartthed** · March-02-11, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Probably a good time to remind all not to leave anything of value visible in the car.

Or anything that even looks like it could potentially be valuable. I had my car window smashed for a worthless bag that someone probably thought contained a laptop or something else more valuable. But this happened in Brooklyn so it probably doesn't fit into the theme of "these things only happen in Detroit" we've got going in this thread.

**swingline** · March-02-11, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by DetroitDad

It's really hard to tell where this is coming from, and I can only speculate. The fact that these crimes seem to rise on non-school nights seem to support English's view. On the other hand, there is definitely a real fear and resentment by some, that think that gentrification is happening in Detroit, and are actively pushing for a stop of renovations and infill.

Detroit has also been a focal point of hate groups. I've dealt with those yahoos via threatening hate mail before, and that doesn't seem like it would be below them.

Okay, first of all and IMHO, the fine local citizens busting into cars downtown to steal quarters and Coldplay CDs have no agenda other than when and where they can score their next rock. They don't know anything about urban issues or gentrification or similar matters. Most couldn't define the words "agenda" or "gentrification". The vast, vast majority of this kind of crime downtown is committed by homeless, penniless crackheads/alcoholics/mentally ill. Any kind of increase in car break-ins downtown is only being caused by an increase in the number of these kinds of folks likely coupled with a decrease in police presence.

Secondly, and not to threadjack, the laughably misinformed anti-gentrification element in Detroit is a very tiny fringe group. It consists of a few community group level hucksters who need to rely on bogeymen and victimization claims in order to keep followers' attention. Occasionally they will achieve a shout out from Joan Watson. It is preposterous to think that such folks have an ability to execute any kind of plan to increase crime in order solve a gentrification problem.

Of course, most in Detroit who understand the meaning of gentrification realize that it is a problem in Detroit in about the same way that inadequate compensation is a problem at Goldman Sachs.