Anyone else living in the middle of a crime wave?

[birdymaker]

Welcome to the best era since the wild west to be a criminal.
 We have been under siege in the metro Detroit area for at least the last 6 months due to the economic policies of our state government. Especially in the county in which i live which is the most affluent county in Michigan. We can no longer afford to keep criminals off the street so now we must live with them. In the last 10 years Michigan has closed 15 prisons, 8 since May. We no longer arrest and house petty criminals not matter their crime history, the county jails are full.
 The crimes of choice have become the "smash and grab" automobile larceny and stealing all the tires and wheels of vehicles I assume for the aluminum and larcenies form garages. I recently had to have the windshield replaced on my wife's lease vehicle before turning it in. While talking to the glass dude he told me he does at least 30 door glass replacements a week himself. One guy. The insurance for my 3 vehicles has gone up $300 in the last 6 months.
On one recent night within the last week, 4 businesses within a half mile of my house were burglarized in the same manner, pull the electric meter to defeat the alarm then wait and see if the cops show up.

Is this going on every where?

Please what ever you do don't buy a used GPS. 

http://www.theoaklandpres...oday&q=police+blotter

[MFAWG]

Not to get all librully and *feces*, BUT:

Since we have the largest incarcerated population in the world (yes, really) it stands to reason that keeping them all incarcerated is pretty expensive and probably not sustainable.

What we're seeing is an unintended consequence of mandated minimum sentencing for (relatively) minor drug offenses.

[birdymaker]

What we're seeing is an unintended consequence of mandated minimum sentencing for (relatively) minor drug offenses.

Even for major drug offenses here. I have an old friend from high school who has one arrest on his record, delivery of cocaine with intent to sell 650 grams. He is doing life without parole since 1990. There are many more like him, mules that got sentenced under a drug kingpin law in the late 80's tough on drugs era. The law has since been repealed the sentences not.

So short term, whats the answer? This crime with no punishment thing has FAIL written all over it. Vigilantism is right around the corner. 

[Aske]

we are certainly not millionaires, but we live in a pretty nice apartment complex here in a pretty nice town.   our place had a string of vehicle smash ins with  gps's taken  . the management now has a nighttime rent-a-security guy drive around the place in circles around the property  ...

no idea if he actually has a gun or anything to stop someone if he does encounter anything .



http://www.suburbanchicag...-blotter_na112609.article

if you read this , it's typically 1/3 vehicle break ins, 1/3 petty retail theft, 1/3  dui

pretty sad.
 

[Jules]

I feel so sorry for you guys.
Last night we went out and I forgot to lock the front door.(Oops!). Once Russell went to work and left the front door open all day, and nothing happened.
We live in a pretty safe and quiet area.