Thieves at FW

[itsmej]

Great thread. I was wondering about leaving our bikes at the marina and such. We never lock things when we camp. But we're always pretty close to the site too.

Jen

 

[disfanRN]

I usually put a small cable lock through the rear wheels and join our three bikes together. While doing this I always feel like I am ruining some of that Disney Magic. I hardly ever see anyone elses bike locked. I do leave them at our site unlocked though. I guess I figure it's more likely someone doesn't want to walk to their site and would "borrow" our bikes to get home then actually steal them.

 

[auntie]

I think if you want to "keep the magic" it's probably better to not slip into a false sense of security..simply because you are on vacation. I know...easier said than done. Honestly..it's something we tell our kids all the time..not to be paranoid..but still be just as cautious as you would at home. Whether it's talking to strangers or locking up your bikes. People are people..some good, some bad..and Disney is no exception.

 

[rapriebe]

I usually put a small cable lock through the rear wheels and join our three bikes together. While doing this I always feel like I am ruining some of that Disney Magic. I hardly ever see anyone elses bike locked. I do leave them at our site unlocked though. I guess I figure it's more likely someone doesn't want to walk to their site and would "borrow" our bikes to get home then actually steal them.

We lock our bikes together also and I feel the same as you about ruining some of the Disney Magic. BUT then I think how my magic would be ruined if some kid decided to take a ride on my bike. So we always lock them at the stores, front lobby and the marina. If I know we are going to be busy for acouple of days and not using our bikes, we lock them at the campsite also. I would rather know they are locked then worry about it.

 

[ftwildernessguy]

A few years ago, I had left my bike on the rack by the petting zoo. A couple of teenage boys came up to it (I was on a nearby bench) and one said to the other "Look at that neat bike. Let's take it." They walked up to it and the other kid said "Aw man, he locked it up." I then approached my bike and greeted the two, who ran off. Draw your own conclusions about what would have happened if I hadn't locked it.

Another anecdote - at the marina as guests going to the HDD were leaving the boat from Contemporary/WL, someone commented "Hey, look at the bikes Disney provides. We'll have to go for a ride after the show." The guy did not look like he was kidding, just clueless.

 

[Colson39]

Another anecdote - at the marina as guests going to the HDD were leaving the boat from Contemporary/WL, someone commented "Hey, look at the bikes Disney provides. We'll have to go for a ride after the show." The guy did not look like he was kidding, just clueless.

I've heard that story from more than one person, and while I understand that not everyone is as obsessed with the Fort as much as us on this forum, I don't think I ever would go on vacation somewhere, see some bikes, and say "Hey look, free bikes!!!".

 

[29bhs]

Had a bike stolen from our site,#123. Great site ,on the walkway to the marina. By the time I got disney security over to give a report, dw and kids had found it by the gameroom. Course this was spring break in many parts.

 

[auntie]

My son's new bike was stolen..from the front walkway of our neighbors home. The thief had to actually walk up to the front of the house in broad daylight and take the bike and ride away. It can happen anywhere. Whether we are on vacation or home. It pays to be safe than sorry..whether that's home or away. Less chance of the "magic" being stolen..if we don't make it easy for anyone to do just that.

 

[Us3]

We've only stayed FW once (the 1st time of many to come) and we didn't have any problems at all. We left our bikes behind the camper and camper unlocked a lot of the time. We were in a pretty small enclosed site in the 400 loop. So there was a lot of privace behind the camper.

I did however notice and comment to dh how everyone seemed to leave stuff out unattened. I guess I'm SO use to securing stuff, that this seemed odd but nice. I noticed bikes in front of campers on the road. Bags, blankets and towels on golf carts.

From reading this thread, It seems like *most* (not all) of the problems are with unsupervised older kids.

I still really enjoy the "safer" feel of FW. It's a reminder of older times to me. But it is still modern day, so be smart as always!

 

[reginaastralis]

I never even thought of anything being stolen at FW until this thread. HA ... kinda funny.

We're the opposite of most, we keep the RV locked when we're not there, both locks on the doors and all the compartments. We keep the bikes either locked in the back, or behind the RV. Golf cart is kept usually in back or under the awning, without the key in it ... so is my mom's electric wheelchair.

I don't understand leaving things out front with an open invitation "Hey, take this!" but then again my sister is nine and is notorious for leaving her bike out front, or her Nintendo DS on the pcinic table. Kids are on vacation and they just don't think.

I'm sure theft does happen, hopefully not as much as when the peacocks attacked cars.

 

[tellnotails]

Locks just keep the honest people out.....

Most Rvs are a simple screwdriver away from being unlocked....

 

[JPG]

Locks just keep the honest people out.....

Most Rvs are a simple screwdriver away from being unlocked....

I disagree. Most thefts are committed as a crime of opportunity. If you make it harder for the would be thief, they will find an easier target. IE, the stuff out in the open, doors unlocked, etc....You should always secure your valuables. Period. If everone would follow this simple step, there would be a lot less theft.

 

[tellnotails]

If people were honest and had morals there would be no such thing as a lock.....think about it

 

[Gatordad]

if there is one thing in this
world that
I hate, it is an unlocked footlocker! You know that, don't you?

 

[Colson39]

I disagree. Most thefts are committed as a crime of opportunity. If you make it harder for the would be thief, they will find an easier target. IE, the stuff out in the open, doors unlocked, etc....You should always secure your valuables. Period. If everone would follow this simple step, there would be a lot less theft.

I agree with what you said, thieves don't like to have to take a lot of time, or have people notice what they are doing. Which would you rather break into, an unlocked RV or one that is locked? One that you can just open the door, or one that requires making sure no one sees you attempting to break the lock? Why do bike thieves LOOK for bikes with no locks?

You are absolutely right, a majority of thefts occur because people DON'T take precautions, and just leave stuff laying out in the open (not saying at the Fort in particular).

It's the same as a house alarm, it's not really meant to catch burglars, it's meant to keep them out of the house to begin with.

 

[tellnotails]

It will be a sad day at the fort......... when I have to lock my rv.....

 

[Mortlives]

Thanks for starting this thread. I hadn't even thought about this, but now that I am, it's time for the dumb question(s) of the day. Are the safe deposit boxes only for gun storage, or can we use one to store things we can't have stolen (cruise papers, passports, credit cards, etc)? Are they available to all FW guests? Is there a charge?

 

[Colson39]

Unfortunately, I think most people lock their RV's, Fort or not. In this day and age, I don't think it's very smart to keep your RV unlocked in any public place. That's just asking for trouble.

 

[shafke]

In all the years we have been camping, both tent and RV, we have never had a problem with things going missing... maybe some food and pawprints in the peanut butter... darn raccoons. As long as you don't leave anything unattended out in the open as to invite temptation then there should not be a problem.

 

[tellnotails]

To any would be thief (shame on you),


My rv will be parked in the 100 or 200 loop some time in late jan. or early feb. 2008....My rv will be small and appear used......my belongings consist of an older tent outside unlocked nothing of much value there.....inside the rv will consist of basic camping stuff, priceless to me, worthless to a crook...but if you do happen along and find my rv keys, I'd appreciate it if you could leave them on the picnic table.........I know the nice guy that I bought this rv from gave them to me but I have not seen them since may 2002...

Thanks again TNT

Ps. please lock my rv when you leave(shame on me)