GainesvilleMoms.com

I am so upset right now! First, someone stole my sister's bike from her house (she is a single mom and can't replace it), then we had company and while her car was parked in front of my house, someone smashed out her passenger side window and stole her TomTom Nav system, AND now my husband was over at his grandparents house and someone stole his iPod out of his car in their driveway?! This is INSANE! I am just floored! I have lived here for 14 years and have never had this happen...let alone within a week and a half!

Oh bishop, I am so sorry, not only that some person stole your stuff but that he or she affected your sense of safety. I just don't understand why some people turn to stealing and other crimes. I hope they get caught and have to take responsibility for what they've done.

Did you file police reports?

My hubby is still waiting at his grandparent's house for the police...unfortunately, since it's Homecoming weekend, he may be waiting a while. My friend did also file a report...the police went canvassed the neighborhood and dusted for prints but he said there wasn't a whole lot they could do. She ended up spending 350 for a new window...Volvos are great for safety..not so great to replace parts on! My sis didn't file a report..she has had a bike stolen before and if you don't have the serial number, it doesn't do you a whole lot of good.
It's just really frustrating....my hubby thinks it was some kids that he had seen hanging around the neighborhood when he got there...and his grandparents had said that they had seen them earlier in the day as well..but it seemed like they were just throwing a football around. I just really wished they knew how hard we had worked to save enough to get him the iPod last Christmas...it was a gift from the kids to their dad....they were all excited because we saved enough to get him the really nice one he had wanted....

That really stinks. Does your insurance cover it??

Oh I am so sorry bishop! That is just awful. I really can't understand why some people think it is OK to take things that don't belong to them. I seriously don't get it!? I really hope things work out for you. Hopefully something positive will come of all of it. Maybe they will figure out who did it, maybe get the things back. Again, I am so sorry!

Oh jeez I hate to hear that happened! I am so sorry and I know exactly how you feel. We've lived in this neighborhood for 5 years and from when we moved until aoubt 18 months ago, I rarely even locked my car. There were days/nights that we didn't lock our front door and still, we felt fine. Then our friends came to visit so I put the second DVD player in the van for their son to enjoy as we drove around and when they left, I didn't even think more of it. Two days later, I go to get in the van and both DVD players, all of my CDs, our video camera/monitor system, 4 DVDs (one from Netflix...shhh) and the freakin inner cup of my ashtray which was full of change - ALL GONE. All of the "stuff" cost about $75 more than our deductible on insurance so not worth filing a claim on. We saved for a few weeks and replaced the DVD players and DVDs, all of my CDs were saved in my computer so I still have them and even though the police took prints and made a report, there was little hope. Turns out there were some "bored" kids hitting many neighborhoods around here and taking things from unlocked cars. Mine is never unlocked now. And since when did being "bored" give anyone the right to go into MY car and touch MY stuff? It is a horrible feeling and I tried to trade the van in that weekend, but it didn't work out. It is truly a shame when we get violated like that and have to hear that there is 'little to be done' because it is a minor infraction. Doesn't feel minor to me or you and you are well within your right to be mad as hell and wish evil things would befall them. Doesn't make you a bad person, honest. Maybe the window breaker will get a horrible infection from a cut and the bike stealer will hit a pothole, fly over the handlebars and break something (not critical, just a collarbone or something) and maybe, just maybe, the jerk who stole the iPod will have one of those urban legend experiences where the whole thing goes haywire and fries his ears to a crisp. Not that I am a mean person but there is karma....

I'm so sorry to hear about this! Can't really feel safe parking your car outside anymore can you? Even though chances are slim, here's to hoping they find the thieves!

If I can make a suggestion regarding your sister's bike...I don't know if you or your sister belong to Gainesville Freecycle on Yahoo Groups, but that is a great source. You can tell them right in the email that her bike was stolen and someone very well may have a replacement for her.

Let me know if you need anything!

This happened to me twice, once in front of my own house, and once when I was downtown in Tampa.
From my house it was my own fault. I parked streetside, didn't lock the doors and left my cell phone and cd's right in the open, so they were gone the next day.
In Tampa, my friend left her empty purse on the front seat. We had to drive back to gainesville with no passenger side window and it was freezing out!
So, I have learned, this is why you never leave your valuable's in your car, esp. in plain view-it's just too tempting and evidently easy. It's sad you can't even feel safe enough to do it in your own neighborhood-

Thats awful B.
Chin up and be strong. Things have a way of working itself out.

V

Bishop....watch Ebay and craigslist. Your stuff might just show up for sale on there. I heard of that happening recently the person saw their stuff on ebay and called the cops, who handled it got their stuff back and the theives were thwarted.

Hey there--my husband has a bike he never uses...I think it needs a new tire and we'll have to clean it up, but if she's interested please e-mail me at emily.owens@peds.ufl.edu.

We live in one of the worst neighborhoods in Gainesville (Tower Oaks) and we have never been robbed. I think there's some kind of rule about robbing your fellow poor. LOL! Everyone goes to the nice neighborhoods to rob I guess since they know none of us has anything worth robbing. I hate thievery since we live in a land of opportunity and generosity. Go get your own bike right?!!!??? Or, if you are in dire need, just ask me and I'll probably give it to you. Steeling is just shameful.

I hear you Mary! My Mom just moved out of Cricket Club after coming home to find a burglar IN her condo who tussled with her on his way out!! She tried to grab his bag with her stuff, which I would have likely done myself, but he had her pistol and had he chosen to use it, well, lets not go there. That person was caught, ID'd and out of jail within the day as he was a juvenile and they were unable to hold him. Great message there!

Oh how I wish for a real life Mayberry!!

Mary I live over that way. We live in Pepper Mill. We have lived there a little over a year and have been good. I am hoping the new Condos will make things better. If you live around Pepper Mill maybe we can met up or something.