The face of stolen bonsai

[rockm]

I ran across this post from a FB bonsai group from five years ago. It is of a woman stealing a bonsai from a show in Pa. The post said they didn't know if she was a local or just passing through the area. I think it is pretty representative of who steals bonsai. They opportunistic casual amateur petty thieves for the most part. They're not plotting to swipe stuff to resell. They're stealing because bonsai appeals to them and they want one and they're not shy about getting one the easy way. That means the easier yours is to get, the more likely some chump like this one will stroll by and swipe it.

 

[August]

Shows how good my trees are. I have vagrants walking through the middle of my garden every day and nobody has taken crap

 

[nuttiest]

. That means the easier yours is to get, the more likely some chump like this one will stroll by and swipe it.

Well look where they are in relation to the parking lot

 

[Cajunrider]

Shows how good my trees are. I have vagrants walking through the middle of my garden every day and nobody has taken crap

It's just because they don't know the values of the trees. Years ago thieves broke into my apartment and took the stereo system, my clothing, and even the change jar. Yet my prized guitar in open view and easy to grab was left untouched. I still am thankful of that stroke of luck.

 

[dbonsaiw]

People are really unbelievable. And I doubt she took care of the tree. Stealing just to steal.

 

[Cajunrider]

People are really unbelievable. And I doubt she took care of the tree. Stealing just to steal.

Looking at the person in the picture, I doubt that is the case. Most of the time, stealing is done to feed the vice(s).

 

[rockm]

Well look where they are in relation to the parking lot

That's the point. She wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't easy. The placement of the trees provided opportunity. Thieves are lazy and they're mostly cowards. This one isn't in shape for a foot pursuit and I'd bet her car is only steps away...Thieves won't go near barking dogs, and hate fences, or other obstacles IF they can take things in open view. That's why you don't display bonsai where people passing by can seen them. It's an invitation, even in areas where "crime isn't a problem."

 

[nuttiest]

That's the point. She wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't easy. The placement of the trees provided opportunity. Thieves are lazy and they're mostly cowards. This one isn't in shape for a foot pursuit and I'd bet her car is only steps away...Thieves won't go near barking dogs, and hate fences, or other obstacles IF they can take things in open view. That's why you don't display bonsai where people passing by can seen them. It's an invitation, even in areas where "crime isn't a problem."

same as garden gnomes, rockm

 

[Cajunrider]

That's the point. She wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't easy. The placement of the trees provided opportunity. Thieves are lazy and they're mostly cowards. This one isn't in shape for a foot pursuit and I'd bet her car is only steps away...Thieves won't go near barking dogs, and hate fences, or other obstacles IF they can take things in open view. That's why you don't display bonsai where people passing by can seen them. It's an invitation, even in areas where "crime isn't a problem."

I keep mine out of sight and behind locked gate. That will keep me relatively safe from opportunistic thieves. I don't think my arrangement will keep me safe from well-planned thefts. Thankfully, my bonsai are not valuable enough to invite such thievery.

 

[pandacular]

I have one of my trees sitting out front of my home. It's about half a meter away from the pedestal with a Ganesha that I already replaced due to thievery. There's an irrational part of me that wants to leave it there as a sign of trust for my community, but I do probably need to move it somewhere safer.

Currently, it's in a nursery pot but I think it would be stolen much quicker in a bonsai pot.

 

[AshleyMammal]

It's just because they don't know the values of the trees. Years ago thieves broke into my apartment and took the stereo system, my clothing, and even the change jar. Yet my prized guitar in open view and easy to grab was left untouched. I still am thankful of that stroke of luck.

Probably because it was a Gibson? #teamFender

 

[rockm]

I keep mine out of sight and behind locked gate. That will keep me relatively safe from opportunistic thieves. I don't think my arrangement will keep me safe from well-planned thefts. Thankfully, my bonsai are not valuable enough to invite such thievery.

I'm not afraid of well-planned thefts. They're rare and if someone makes detailed plans to steal a tree, not really much you can do. Rando BS like this is what worry me, particularly among the adolescent and teenage population. They're by nature sneaky and are acquisitive (look at shoplifting, it's kin to bonsai theft, opportunistic and impulsive). Teenagers are lazy, but will take dares, so it's a crap shoot. Tall fence leaves the trees out of sight, out of mind. I also have a generalized rep as a crazy old bastard with a mean dog after I busted a couple of youngsters boosting parts off parked cars in the neighborhood.

 

[pandacular]

Shows how good my trees are. I have vagrants walking through the middle of my garden every day and nobody has taken crap

One counter-intuitive thing I've noticed living in Seattle is that folks living on the streets generally aren't involved in theft from individuals. It's much easier, lower risk, and more beneficial to steal from stores, especially as most of them now have no-contact policies where...they kinda just let it happen.

All the theft I've seen from individuals seem to be the doing of professional thieves.

 

[19Mateo83]

I keep mine out of sight and behind locked gate. That will keep me relatively safe from opportunistic thieves. I don't think my arrangement will keep me safe from well-planned thefts. Thankfully, my bonsai are not valuable enough to invite such thievery.

You are also in an area literally covered in bald cypresses.

 

[pandacular]

You are also in an area literally covered in bald cypresses.

Most people can't pick up the other ones tho, they don't have a trackhoe

 

[Cajunrider]

You are also in an area literally covered in bald cypresses.

I have videos of youngsters roaming the neighborhood at night checking for unlocked vehicles so if my trees look just mildly attractive and available, I am sure they will be taken.

Here is a thread merge idea. What if I set out a bald cypress dunked in piss for bait?

 

[Gabler]

Well look where they are in relation to the parking lot

Right next to the dumpster. That's just asking for someone to take them. It's a plausible argument she thought they were destined for the dump.

 

[Bonsai Forest]

I ran across this post from a FB bonsai group from five years ago. It is of a woman stealing a bonsai from a show in Pa. The post said they didn't know if she was a local or just passing through the area. I think it is pretty representative of who steals bonsai. They opportunistic casual amateur petty thieves for the most part. They're not plotting to swipe stuff to resell. They're stealing because bonsai appeals to them and they want one and they're not shy about getting one the easy way. That means the easier yours is to get, the more likely some chump like this one will stroll by and swipe it.

She looks like an angry Karen.

 

[Bonsai Forest]

Right next to the dumpster. That's just asking for someone to take them. It's a plausible argument she thought they were destined for the dump.

"I thought it was on 'Clearance.'"

 

[Bonsai Forest]

I have one of my trees sitting out front of my home. It's about half a meter away from the pedestal with a Ganesha that I already replaced due to thievery. There's an irrational part of me that wants to leave it there as a sign of trust for my community, but I do probably need to move it somewhere safer.

Currently, it's in a nursery pot but I think it would be stolen much quicker in a bonsai pot.

I don't think it is irrational to be trusting, but it is human nature to be protective of personal items and property. The downfall of Seattle and WA from the view of 30k feet is this all might just be a primer and/or catalyst for Socialism. The crime hasn't gotten too bad yet though: https://seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Police/Reports/2021_SPD_CRIME_REPORT_FINAL.pdf#:~:text=Overall citywide crime increased by 10% (+4,209) when,Aggravated Assaults (up 24%) and Robbery (up 18%).