Stolen Wipers

[Thrifty Bee]

Does anyone know of a brand of windshield wipers that lock on with a key? I know that sounds extreme but surely it would be a better option than taking them off and bringing them in every night. Yes, someone actually stole the wipers off our car Saturday night/Sunday morning. So we had to wait until it stopped raining enough so we could drive to get another pair.

There has also been some gas theft lately so while we were at it we bought a locking gas cap. I’m going to tape the package heading in the back window by the gas tank so that people will know about the locking gas cap. Hopefully that will keep them from going through the trouble of damaging the door thing that covers it by prying it open if they know they can’t get to the gas.

If it’s not the wipers it’s my outside broom, my doormat, or my news paper. This is just crazy; what’s next? Maybe I should meet my DH in the parking lot everyday when he gets home and walk him in just to be safe.

[hburnette3]

I don't know what to say. I was thinking you were joking but I don't think so.

[shashabell]

Do you have an enemy in the neighborhood?

[XUfan]

Wow! That's low!! I have never understood the sense of entitlement that some people have. If they see it...and can grab it...it's theirs! It doesn't matter to them that someone else worked for the money to pay for the item...they just take it, like it belongs to them! It makes me furious!

As for the wipers, I don't know of any that actually lock with a key. Have you tried calling your local Auto Zone, or some other car parts place?

I feel so bad for you. I have lived places where people acted that way. One time, someone took the light bulb from our porch light! This was 30 years ago, and I'd actually forgotten it until your post. It makes me sad to think that you have to keep everything locked up tight, just so that people won't take your stuff.

[ilove2$hop]

wow! that is low...I hope karma gets them.

[Macaela25]

I'd call the police and make a report. If there is a rash of robberies in your area, your info may help establish a pattern.

You mentioned parking lot...do you live in an apartment complex? If you own your property, big motion sensor lights are a great deterrent. I'd personally like to find something that activates a recording of a big vicious dog myself.

[BigDog]

You could put black tar on the front of it. And if it rains..it washes away...otherwise...caught "red handed" (or in this case black handed)....might be enough they think about taking it next time and move to an "easier" target...I know doesn't fix the problem for everyone...

Have you thought about a neighborhood watch program...or last but not least considered buying a rabid turkey?

[Rene S]

I'd call the police and make a report. If there is a rash of robberies in your area, your info may help establish a pattern.

Me too. Even though it's petty, you might tell the cops about other thefts in your neighborhood. They might offer to do a few more drive-bys just to check on things.

Do you know your neighbors? You could start a neighborhood watch program.

To answer your original question, I don't know if any wipers that "lock" on. You might stop by an auto-parts store and ask though.

[Thrifty Bee]

Do you have an enemy in the neighborhood?

There are a few neighbors DH has gotten into it with a few times about things like disturbing the peace, but I think if it was about getting back at him they would have done something that wasn’t so easily or cheaply fixed like keying the paint job. It was raining and they needed good wipers and either they didn’t have money for new ones or didn’t want to fool with buying them, or both so they simply took ours.

[Thrifty Bee]

I'd call the police and make a report. If there is a rash of robberies in your area, your info may help establish a pattern.

You mentioned parking lot...do you live in an apartment complex? If you own your property, big motion sensor lights are a great deterrent. I'd personally like to find something that activates a recording of a big vicious dog myself.

You could put black tar on the front of it. And if it rains..it washes away...otherwise...caught "red handed" (or in this case black handed)....might be enough they think about taking it next time and move to an "easier" target...I know doesn't fix the problem for everyone...

Have you thought about a neighborhood watch program...or last but not least considered buying a rabid turkey?

Me too. Even though it's petty, you might tell the cops about other thefts in your neighborhood. They might offer to do a few more drive-bys just to check on things.

Do you know your neighbors? You could start a neighborhood watch program.

To answer your original question, I don't know if any wipers that "lock" on. You might stop by an auto-parts store and ask though.

Yes, I live in an apartment complex. I can’t put anything like that outside but I have suggested and requested many times for security cameras.

I live in a very small town that has no police with the exception of a part-time marshal who is a volunteer. We have to call the sheriff department and if it’s not something big they won’t come out. The only time we ever get any drive-bys is if they happen to be driving through town to go somewhere else. DH has even called the prosecutor and the state police about getting more police presence in town but it didn’t do any good.

Yea I know them as well as I care to and if I had the money and was a betting person I’d lay odds that one of them is the thief. My neighbors are more likely to be a lookout for a crime instead of watching to prevent it.