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Not exactly what you want to see before you leave for work. |
 | By Andy Tarnoff   Publisher E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Andy Tarnoff |
| Published Aug. 5, 2009 at 12:16 p.m. |
|
I was almost early to work this morning. That is, until I noticed that someone had shattered the driver's side window of my car, stealing my digital camera, radar detector and cheap sunglasses.
In the 13 years after college that I've lived in Milwaukee, I've never had anything stolen from a car -- until now. In 1996, someone smashed the rear window of my Toyota Tercel outside The Mad Planet, but they didn't take anything. This theft, however, will be expensive.
After a call to my insurance agent, I learned that the items inside the car are covered by my homeowner's policy, not my auto insurance. So, the value of my digital camera, memory card and radar detector, probably around $500, are below the deductible. I'm still getting quotes for the replacement of the window -- but the best so far is from Autoglass Specialists at $325 -- which is also below the deductible on my auto coverage.
Guess I learned my lesson about leaving a tiny digital camera only partially hidden in the armrest.
Money aside, I'm just really bummed out that someone would break into a car, parked on the apron of my garage, for a used camera, radar detector and Target sunglasses. Fixing this problem is not just a hassle, but it leaves me concerned about the safety of my neighborhood.
Random acts of crime are just that -- random. Or maybe they're crimes of opportunity.
Either way, I'm out at least $500 today, probably more, if I want to replace everything. Sure, it could be worse -- it always could be, and I'm blessed to be solvent enough that I won't have to be one of those drivers with a plastic bag taped to their window for months. But right now, that's a small consolation. This was an unbudgeted, unnerving expense, and it really stings.
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13 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by DD_DD on Aug. 9, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. (report)
THat's Milwaukee, and that is why I got the hellout-----way out!!!
| Rate this: |
Posted by thak on Aug. 6, 2009 at 3:54 p.m. (report)
8 years ago my junker was stolen down the street from the Rave. The police found it a few days later, there were baby bottles and a car seat in the back - that sure were not mine. Also since we were at a concert we had left our leather coats and cell phones in the trunk along with some other valuables. They never opened the truck, so I was at least able to get those back.
| Rate this: |
Posted by slinky1234 on Aug. 6, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. (report)
I think I'm with speak the truth's comment. Until then, don't leave items in your car, no matter where you are parked. And if you have access to a garage, by God, use it. That was one of the best things to get when I moved from the East side to my new home with a garage! It's when you let your guard down, it will happen. Sorry you had to have it happen to you.
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Posted by speakthetruth on Aug. 6, 2009 at 8:31 a.m. (report)
There is a simple solution that would end crimes like this: Take some nice cars like your 3-series, park them all over town with the door unlocked and with electronics in plain sight, and equip them with hidden video cameras. When thieves hop in to rifle through the goods, have the doors lock automatically, start the car, and divert the exhaust inside the vehicle. Do this a few dozen times and petty crime would end.
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Posted by Bay Viewer on Aug. 6, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. (report)
This has been a common problem in Bay View the past few months, especially the area south of Russell, east of 794 and north of Oklahoma. My guess is that criminals know that a lot of Yuppies and Dinks moved into this area over the past several years and that it is an easy to target.
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