I got robbed at the Booby Bar javascript:emoticon(':evil:')

artcriminal · Post by **artcriminal** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:07 pm

Sunday night at the Booby bar was amazing. A great lone group of people among those left. I even ran into a gal I dated 24 years ago! One major bummer though...And I'm really hoping some of you can help me.

My stuff was stolen off a bar stool that night within feet of me while I was dancing with my back to it. My full-length fake fur coat (white with thin red tongues of fur, big hood, big sleeves, red elastic piping for button holes) my water backpack with my opinel knife, goggles, digital camera, moleskine notebook with ALL the new names and addresses and phone numbers of friends I had made, and my metal cup with the snazzy built in carabiner. It just kills me. This was my 10th burn and I was a victim of deliberate theft at such a great place on a night when one wouldn't expect any yahoos to be around. I feel like sacred ground has been violated. I could have let it all go I suppose but the one of my dear friends made the coat for me and worse yet I will have a difficult if not impossible time regaining some of those addresses and phone numbers in the notebook, and I'd finally put together such a perfect BM survival kit.
My campmates and I have cast a curse on the bastard(s) that only ends when the stuff is returned and I do have alot of friends in the community. So I'm sure I'll eventually get to the bottom of this. Right now it's just a major bummer to end my burn on. If you have any information to help me, please mail me at artcriminal(at)gigsville(dot)org

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Thu Sep 04, 2008 11:45 pm

As a member of the Booby Bar camp it saddens me to hear of this, we strive to create a fun friendly environment where people can get to know one another . The thief has not only shown disregard and disrespect to you but to my entire camp and the whole Burning Man community. With so many working hard and giving freely to steal is an even more offensive crime.

Mosin · Post by **Mosin** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:51 am

That is so damn shitty. When I was packing up our camp at like 3 AM on Monday morning I heard a group of people walking down A (@3:30) screaming something that didn't sound like positive revelry. I went out to the steet to check it out and as they were coming towards me, I began to understand.

"BURNING MAN FUCKING SUCKS!! YOU PEOPLE ALL SUCK!! I AM FUCKING FREEZING!!" FUCK FUCKING BURNING MAN!!! FUCK YOU FUCKING MOTHERFUCKERS!!! I HATE YOU ALL" etc etc screamed the woman in the lead.

"Hey, hey, what's going on y'all?" I offered in a consoling voice as they approached.

"ALL OF OUR FUCKING CLOTHES AND BAGS JUST GOT STOLEN WHILE WE WERE DANCING!!! I AM FUCKING FREEZING!! FUCK BURNIN MAN AND ALL OF YOU FUCKING ASSHOLES!!" she wailed to the heavens... clutching herself and rubbing her arms for warmth as they scurried past.

I was wracking my brain to think of some warm items to give them, but they continued right on without stopping... screaming until they were out of earshot. It made me sad for them. How fucking lame to have your Burn tainted by some disrespectful thieving fuckwad?! Not to mention a walk back to camp in what seemed to be ~45 deg night air. :(

BoxaRox · Post by **BoxaRox** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:22 am

Let me first say that Evil Doers of this type should be skinned alive.

Having said that....

I've had stuff "stolen" and spent long time throwing a fit and looking around for someone to kill, and then found my stuff exactly where I'd forgotten I left it. Oops.

I've also watched countless people come to a party, throw their stuff on a chair and prance off for the duration. Later, there's no empty chairs, so someone moves their stuff so they can sit down. Then someone else moves it some more because it's in the way. Then someone else sees it laying unattended and takes it to the lost and found. The people then come back -- 8 to 12 hours later -- and have a cow when their stuff isn't exactly where they left it.

I don't know the details of the situations in question. But the situations I mention are FAR more common than actual cases of theft, and dilute my sympathy somewhat.

What's wrong with watching your own shit? I was always taught that leaving my stuff unattended in a public place was tantamount to putting it on the curb with a FREE sign on it. It MIGHT be there when you come back, but if you don't want to take that risk, then don't DO it!

If these people were mugged, had their stuff stolen at gunpoint, we'd have a valid and serious situation that needs to be addressed. But they weren't. They lost their stuff cause they didn't keep track of it. That's sad. I'm not going to lose a lot of sleep over it, tho. If they didn't want to watch their own stuff, how badly should it reflect on society that no one else stepped up to watch it FOR them? I mean really?

Shit happens. It's a shame that there are assholes in the world, but there ARE, and law of the jungle is in effect.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:29 am

seems so many of the "bad" experiences are caused by lack of personal responsibility and respect for others..........

Kind of mirrors society, huh?.......

Laughing Forest · Post by **Laughing Forest** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 9:56 am

>If you have any information to help me, please mail me at artcriminal(at)gigsville(dot)org

Here's some info: you weren't 'robbed.' You were stolen from.

There's a difference.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:45 pm

Most of my gear was stolen even though I was sleeping right next to the duffel. This year seems to have had lots of thefts including alot of staff/volunteers stealing and robbing folks. Truly sad the way the community has become so similar to the default world. If I ever do the "homeless" experience again I will try to cuff my duffel to my wrist when I try to sleep. Tho this may result in my hand getting cut off so maybe its not a good idea after all to try to keep anything at BM.

skibear · Post by **skibear** » Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:24 pm

BoxaRox wrote: They lost their stuff cause they didn't keep track of it. That's sad. I'm not going to lose a lot of sleep over it, tho. If they didn't want to watch their own stuff, how badly should it reflect on society that no one else stepped up to watch it FOR them? I mean really?

There's a lot of truth here.

In 2005 I lost piles of stuff: cell phone w/ antenna (LOL),pocket knife,
spare car keys, tent poles,etc . All of it got to playa lost & found & got
retrieved. But I found the tent poles (thought to be lost in an arrival day dust storm) a week post event at Sierra Hot Springs against a tree
wheere I left them.

Only lost one item in 2007- a camera that I likely dropped- never
found. Only a few artcar/bike picts on it.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 2:34 am

Don't kid yourself.
There is a lot of theft.
It even happens before the gates open when everyone inside is supposed to be there to work.
I've seen bikes and capes stolen days before the gates open.

But if wishful thinking makes you feel better, pretend it doesn't matter.

Of course, it would never happen to you.

somekind · Post by **somekind** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:53 am

I made an early morning trip to the porta potty and when I emerged my bike was gone. I spent almost an hour walking around and thru camps until I realized that I was only 1/2 block from camp. When I got back I found my bike where I had left it, next to my tent.

I'm not as stupid as I seem, sometimes.

Apologies to artcriminal, getting your stuff jacked sucks. Good luck getting it back.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 12:32 pm

Some burner veterans friends of ours who drove all the way out from Alabama got their bike jacked on Thursday. THURSDAY!

That was apparently the last straw in a series of depressing events and so they quietly packed up and went home. Sad.

CLARKcon · Post by **CLARKcon** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:45 pm

I was looking for a bag of gift shirts in my tent that I couldn't find. It's a bad feeling wondering who may have gotten in there (tent=temporary home/apartment.) DUUHH!!!! After another looksy, it was the huge lump under my sleeping bag that I had mistaken for a pillow!

No harm, no foul--- GAME ON!!!!

artcriminal · Post by **artcriminal** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 6:05 pm

I have been coming to this event for 10 years and believe me if I had misplaced my stuff I'd know. It was within 10 feet of me in a little dome bar on top of a bar stool. I was dancing. I looked everywhere as soon as it was missing. I checked that night and the next morning with the bar staff. I checked lost and found once in the morning and once that night. I was definitely a victim of theft. And for those folks who think we need to be on guard...It took me a good portion of the last 10 burns to let go of locking my stuff up (except on burn night) and I'm not willing to relinquish that piece of freedom now. We have some urbanization happening and we need to figure out some sort of creative, fucked up solution to correct it. There were to instances of theft that night at the Booby bar and a scooter stolen the next day per BMIR. So this is a real problem we need to solve and solve now.

BoxaRox · Post by **BoxaRox** » Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:48 pm

I never mistake the lump under my sleeping bag for anything.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:08 am

Once the lump under the tent was rattlers.
Not mine though.

AmericanFremin1 · Post by **AmericanFremin1** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:26 am

you're not gonna like this explanation, but i think the playa faires take lots of stuff. they got my beloved spyderco knife i'd had for 15 years! and what i thought was the best headlamp ever. there's a lesson to be learned here. sometimes a hard lesson:

'DON'T LIKE YOUR STUFF TOO MUCH!'

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 9:44 am

gyre wrote:...I've seen bikes and capes stolen days before the gates open.......

Humm, you just sittin' round watchin' them capes be stole?

I will be leaving my cape at home in the future and I for sure will not bring my cape in before them gates are opened. (it's all the gate crew's fault or maybe it's people from the Empire store and gas station?? Huh? did'ja think about that?)

Bluetality · Post by **Bluetality** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:01 pm

A little off the main subject...but are in-tent thefts common? As in, if I were to leave my tent for the day/night to go exploring, would I have to worry about someone pillaging my belongings snugly tucked away in there, and if so, is there a way to lock a tent, (haha)? I'll be camping alone, so I can't really depend on others being around my camp to prevent such happenings.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:06 pm

Interesting question. I've been to BM twice now and never once gave security a second thought. I've never had a problem and I guess naively believed that the type of people that attended BM wouldn't be thieves.

Now that I have been more active on eplaya, I'm reading about stories of people getting mugged for glow, things being stolen, etc.

Based on my personal experience, I would say no. Based on my reading here, I'd say beware.

JK

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:08 pm

AmericanFremin1 wrote:
'DON'T LIKE YOUR STUFF TOO MUCH!'

That; or buy a spare.

JK

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:09 pm

Here is the common example of how "theft" happens at Burning Man. Just spin around in a circle a couple times and it all can all just disappear.

http://perfectlygoodink.typepad.com/blo ... .html#more

what is so very special to me about the above story is the complete lack of whining. Not a single complaint as things go from bad to worse. A burner I would love to meet.

A few years ago we had neighbors who thought their bikes were stolen on burn night. People don't realize that you can't find anything on Burn night. I always wonder where the hills come from on burn night. We found their bikes, right where they left them two days later.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:29 pm

What a funny story. Glad he got all his stuff back!

JK

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 4:03 pm

It is failrly common for someone to lose their camp.
This is the first time I've heard of someone thinking they knew where it wasn't.

I was warned of theft from tents long before I got to burning man.
Often roving groups are spotted in the darker, more remote areas.
They often get caught and skitter off, saying they had the wrong tent.

I was always told to pack my things to hide valuables.
Many people don't realize their tents have been rifled through.
As with anything, having an easy layout with drawers probably increases your risk.
Hard to find is hard to find.

There may be a way to use a cable, strap or light chain to lock a tent.
An alarm could easily be used.
Many people use a locking chest, the traditional security for travelers.
Easy enough to lock a cooler too.
A chest can be set to alarm when moved too.

Lock valuables in your car, if you bring one.
I think any car without a trunk should have a lockbox, preferably concealed.

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:36 pm

I once rented a room in a house from a lady who didn't want to lock the front or back doors. She felt the energy of the house would prevent bad things from happening, and that if someone really needed something that badly... etc. I got a locking doorknob for my room, and didn't keep anything I'd miss out in the house proper if I wasn't home. This bothered her, but I didn't bend. When her car got burglarized she felt "so violated." duh. All that good will towards the needy evaporated. Theft is more about opportunity than need. Sure if someone was hungry, I wouldn't begrudge them some food, but who would be hurting without my stereo, or i.d.? If access is time consuming or difficult, thieves move on to easier pickings. I don't take valuable stuff, try not to leave things out in the open, and lock what I need to keep, secured out of sight, in the car. I say hi to my neighbors when I'm heading out. I have some lights on around my camp, mainly to keep people from tripping over stuff, but maybe it helps deter sneaks as well. I don't worry about it, but I do the basics, same as I do at any campground.

wedeliver · Post by **wedeliver** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 5:49 pm

Elorrum wrote:I once rented a room in a house from a lady who didn't want to lock the front or back doors. She felt the energy of the house would prevent bad things from happening, and that if someone really needed something that badly... etc. ... When her car got burglarized she felt "so violated." duh. ....

Well duh.. the house energy would never protect her car.

fling93 · Post by **fling93** » Sun Sep 28, 2008 11:15 pm

wedeliver wrote:what is so very special to me about the above story is the complete lack of whining. Not a single complaint as things go from bad to worse. A burner I would love to meet.

That's my story, and thanks! Although I have to admit the lack of whining had more to do with the fact that I mostly blamed myself, which I wouldn't particularly recommend to anybody. :)

I'm at a DPW work weekend right now (and they gave me new playa name of Missing Asian Guy) and will just have to come back to DPW next year if they'll have me, so that's probably where you can find me.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:11 am

fling93 wrote:
wedeliver wrote:what is so very special to me about the above story is the complete lack of whining. Not a single complaint as things go from bad to worse. A burner I would love to meet.
That's my story, and thanks! Although I have to admit the lack of whining had more to do with the fact that I mostly blamed myself, which I wouldn't particularly recommend to anybody.

I'm at a DPW work weekend right now (and they gave me new playa name of Missing Asian Guy) and will just have to come back to DPW next year if they'll have me, so that's probably where you can find me.

I don't know if it's better to lose your camp all week like most people or think it's gone like you did.
I think you now have the funniest playa name ever though!

Mag, when I first got to burning man they told me to remember my address, which I thought was pretty silly.
Sure enough, some guy lost his camp all week right after we got there.
Always seems to be someone with the passport in the tent too, so they're not going anywhere.
Maybe it's a jet lag thing?

I tried to help an aussie girl find her camp two years ago.
We found her sister but I don't know if she ever found her tent.
It often requires waiting until most people pack up and looking around then.

Welcome. Missing Asian Guy!

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 6:23 am

hey,
I have many tacticle rolls of razor wire with handles, just stake one end, grab, and string a perimeter.......yeehaw, .............happy to loan some to folks.
It's surplus from the long jump competition in the "shirtcocker olympics"..............

fling93 · Post by **fling93** » Mon Sep 29, 2008 8:58 pm

gyre wrote:I don't know if it's better to lose your camp all week like most people or think it's gone like you did.

Oh, I think what I went through was not nearly as bad (just not as common, and thus a more memorable story for me to tell). I mean, it didn't put me in a bad state for Burning Man itself.

gyre wrote:I think you now have the funniest playa name ever though!

Thanks! Yeah, I've totally embraced it.

gyre wrote:It often requires waiting until most people pack up and looking around then.

Yep, several folks have asked me why I didn't just wait around until the city thinned out, but my blog post doesn't mention that I was on my second ever acid trip (my first was the dust storm after the Temple Burn. Bad trip, but it mellowed out eventually, thanks to That Camp).

gyre wrote:Always seems to be someone with the passport in the tent too, so they're not going anywhere. Maybe it's a jet lag thing?

Yeah, could be. Or maybe Murphy's Law. Which is one reason I jumped to conclusions.

I should also mention that, before I found out my stuff wasn't ACTUALLY stolen, I was totally going to post this to Lost & Found:

Lost: Compact Flash memory card with over 800 Burning Man photos. Last seen in my tent.

Lost: Tent. Last seen Monday afternoon after the event next to my car, a blue 1993 Saturn SL2 (four door) near 4:30 and Corvair (maybe closer to 5) where Camp Wonton-amo Bay used to be (we gave out fried wontons and fortune cookies, and had a chain link fence with red, white, and blue EL barbed wire, and a dolphin suspended from a noose named Habeas Porpoise).

Lost: A Blue 1993 Saturn SL2. Last seen next to my tent.

Hee hee hee! Well, in the state I was in, I have to admit I'd have said "stolen" rather than lost.

Anyway, thanks for the welcome!

Intubater69 · Post by **Intubater69** » Tue Sep 30, 2008 9:46 am

Bluetality wrote:A little off the main subject...but are in-tent thefts common? As in, if I were to leave my tent for the day/night to go exploring, would I have to worry about someone pillaging my belongings snugly tucked away in there, and if so, is there a way to lock a tent, (haha)? I'll be camping alone, so I can't really depend on others being around my camp to prevent such happenings.

I locked anything of value in my truck and then hid the key........um, somewhere, I'm not sure where. Damn! It's gonna be a long walk home

I got robbed at the Booby Bar javascript:emoticon(':evil:')

I got robbed at the Booby Bar javascript:emoticon(':evil:')

No really