Re: Is theft becoming impossible?

From: BillK (bill@wkidston.freeserve.co.uk)
Date: Thu Sep 04 2003 - 10:58:17 MDT

  • Next message: Randy S: "Re: Is theft becoming impossible?"

    The system chopped my last post - let's try again.

    On Thu Sep 04, 2003 08:07 am Chuck Kuecker wrote:
    >>
    >> You do realize just how easy it is to destroy such and RFID tag? Pop
    >> it in the microwave - hit it with a big spark - that will take care
    >> of most anything except electronics.
    >>
    >> Wrap it in aluminum foil - it can't transpond.
    >>

    That is true, but misses the point. It would be very easy to pass a law
    that said that if you had any unregistered items in your possession or
    in your home, then that would provide de facto evidence of suspicion of
    theft. It would then be down to you to provide evidence that you had
    come into possession of these items by legal means. And if you were able
    to provide such evidence, then you would have to explain why you had
    then committed the offense of failing to register these items in your
    name. Just as we have to do at present (in UK) for cars.

    >>
    >> GPS only can give a car it's location - it cannot tell anyone else
    >> about it. That takes a transmitter - with an antenna - that can be
    >> clipped off or shielded. I don't expect professional car thieves will
    >> be much deterred - but we might catch many carjackers and amateurs...
    >>

    From this you may not be aware of the vehicle security devices that can
    be built into the frame of luxury cars. Security vans have them also.
    Some delivery vehicles and hire cars have them fitted as well.
    It is virtually impossible to remove these devices without dismantling
    the whole vehicle. And you can't wrap the whole car in tinfoil.
    Search Google on - vehicle tracking - or - vehicle anti-theft GPS -.

    On Thu Sep 04, 2003 08:50 am Randy S commented:
    >>
    >> But aren't something like 3/4 of all people in American jails in
    >> there for drug offenses?
    >>

    From US Department of Justice:
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/cvict_c.htm#property
    "Property crime makes up about three-quarters of all crime in the United
    States."

    So tagging everything would stop three-quarters of all crime!!!
    Can this be possible?!

    Again from US Department of Justice:
    http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/prisons.htm

    Percent of sentenced State inmates
    Most serious
    offense 1995 2001
    Total 100% 100%
    Violent 47 49
    Property 23 19
    Drug 22 20
    Public-order 9 11

    This says that property theft is only about 20% of the prison
    population, but there is an analysis problem here. Many violent or drug
    prisoners probably committed thefts as well, but are analysed by their
    most serious offense.

    Once criminals realize that tagging property means certain capture and
    conviction, then violent robberies will stop also.

    It all sounds rather useful to me.

    BillK

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