It’s a great time to be a thief in many parts of the US. For many reasons, it is a crime rarely prosecuted. My wife and I had $2,600 stolen from us last year. We knew who took it and had enough evidence for the police to issue a warrant for his arrest. However, the police told us that he would not be arrested because they were too short handed and didn’t have the time to arrest in these cases, even though it was grand larceny. The police said that the only way he would be arrested would be if he got pulled over for a traffic stop or got in trouble for some other reason with the police present and they noticed he had an outstanding warrant. That was very frustrating to hear. Fortunately, the cop doing the investigation did not share this information with the thief and was able to scare him enough through phone conversations so that the thief agreed to return our money. It still took a month to get our money back. But it was quite an eye opener as to what a thief could get away with even if caught red handed.

I saw a post on another site discussing the new danger in photography. There was an attached video showing a wedding photographer in a popular San Francisco location being attacked by 2 guys in hoodies in the middle of the day with lots of people around! Yes, they were trying to steal his camera and bag! The bride and groom just watched as did many others (that is a whole other topic). Obviously others choose to video it as opposed to help the guy! Without help from those watching the photographer was successful in fighting off the two guys. The two guys were then filmed in the parking lot with a bag they did manage to steal.

Anyway, I am quite often out by myself and I guess I now have to worry about the humans as well as the animals! The good news is my area as well as many of the wildlife areas are much safer than big cities. I’m sure National Parks like Yellowstone will eventually not be as safe as they are now. Most of us in Yellowstone or RMNP look out for each other and I like to think most tourists there are not looking to steal your stuff.

Isn’t it sad if you have nice photo gear it makes you a target. I would rather worry about the grizzly…..

I think more and more are realizing how much the big lenses are worth and more and more people have them which is why more are looking to steal them. Now people are taking catalytic converters from your vehicle in parking lots!

No I'm not letting fear rule me, but now that I know people know what my big lens is worth I need to be more aware. Like I said, in Yellowstone and places like that not so much. But it could start happening there as well. Some say I should have more of a natural fear of animals. I am careful around them and make may decisions based on what I think is or is not appropriate and safe.

25 years ago you did not have to worry about a car jacking or many of the things that are going on now. Times change and so we must as well.

You are right, the numbers don't lie. Crime and the concept of punishment have been redefined in the last several years and it is more and more becoming incumbent upon the individual to take their protection matters in their own hands, as law enforcement and the courts have turned their backs to it. That's not to say the law enforcement component doesn't have good intentions, but when the courts and prosecutors refuse to punish the wrong doers there is not much they can do to bring down the incidence of crime.