On 04/12/2014 21:00, Ophelia wrote:


"David" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot. They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft,
with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.

Someone who is willing to steal stuff from under the owner's nose, might
not take too kindly to being challenged and may just hit out.




In a genuinely tricky situation, I call on the police and extra
witnesses. We run a good watch scheme here. Anyway, triggering a panic
button and our alarm system (if need be) would soon frighten any
intruder or thief.
Just reverting back to gardening, when we had plant thieves in our road,
our CCTV camera footage helped the police catch the villains involved,
which was most satisfying. I doubt they'll be back!

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

"Spider" wrote

That's me. The neighbourhood witch with the twitching curtain :~)).



Used to be a lot of that when I was a youngster. I sometimes think we were
all a lot safer with the old lady standing at her front gate/door just
watching.
--
Regards. Bob Hobden.
Posted to this Newsgroup from the W of London, UK

"Bob Hobden" wrote:

Used to be a lot of that when I was a youngster. I sometimes think we were
all a lot safer with the old lady standing at her front gate/door just
watching.

Years ago, I lived in a typically seedy student apartment in a typically
seedy neighborhood. At night, you could almost always see the glow of a
cigarette in a darkened upper window across the way. Word was that the old
guy there was somehow "connected," and we never had the usual petty
crime/vandalism.


--
Gary Woods AKA K2AHC- PGP key on request, or at home.earthlink.net/~garygarlic
Zone 5/4 in upstate New York, 1420' elevation. NY WO G

"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot. They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft, with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!



Bless you for that, Ophelia! I am always extremely careful, I promise
you. Most incidents are innocent and many challenged from some small
distance. In truth, quite a few are youths that just need moving on, but
we have helped the police catch a few thieves and burglars. We have about
a dozen CCTV cameras to back up anything we see, which makes a huge
difference.

I do think it's important to stand up and be counted, but I truly avoid
taking unnecessary risks. Honest.

Aye, well just be careful!


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 19:58, David wrote:
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot. They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft, with
a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.



That's me. The neighbourhood witch with the twitching curtain :~)).

I would love to have you as my neighbour. It is good to know others are
looking out for each other.


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 21:00, Ophelia wrote:


"David" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot.
They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft,
with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that
these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.

Someone who is willing to steal stuff from under the owner's nose, might
not take too kindly to being challenged and may just hit out.




In a genuinely tricky situation, I call on the police and extra witnesses.
We run a good watch scheme here. Anyway, triggering a panic button and
our alarm system (if need be) would soon frighten any intruder or thief.

Does every house have them? How would you cope outside if you challenged
some men moving stuff? I hope you would never think to do that alone???

Just reverting back to gardening, when we had plant thieves in our road,
our CCTV camera footage helped the police catch the villains involved,
which was most satisfying. I doubt they'll be back!

Excellent

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

"Bob Hobden" wrote in message
...
"Spider" wrote

That's me. The neighbourhood witch with the twitching curtain :~)).



Used to be a lot of that when I was a youngster. I sometimes think we were
all a lot safer with the old lady standing at her front gate/door just
watching.

I think so too!

--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/

On 05/12/2014 11:10, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 21:00, Ophelia wrote:


"David" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot.
They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square
clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft,
with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that
these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such
things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and
if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.

Someone who is willing to steal stuff from under the owner's nose, might
not take too kindly to being challenged and may just hit out.




In a genuinely tricky situation, I call on the police and extra
witnesses. We run a good watch scheme here. Anyway, triggering a
panic button and our alarm system (if need be) would soon frighten any
intruder or thief.

Does every house have them? How would you cope outside if you
challenged some men moving stuff? I hope you would never think to do
that alone???



Many of our houses have alarms, but if I saw something deeply suspicious
with active villains, the chances are our CCTV would pick them up. If I
could raise extra witnesses, that would help (but I refuse to accept any
vigilanteism in our road), otherwise I would trigger my own house alarm
by using the panic button - if I was that worried (I've never had to do
that yet). However, with such an incident, I would simply dial 999 and
let the police come and catch them red-handed. I probably wouldn't need
to challenge the villains.

Often we see suspicious behaviour and take a look outside. If I
challenge someone, I usually just ask if they're looking for someone or
something, or will say "Is that your car?" if they're hanging around.
There's no need to get very close. I can call from my front steps if I
wish. Sometimes I just challenge over-grown kids because they've
trespassed on private property. They're often a bit 'lippy'. One asked
me if I was accusing them of stealing (there were 4 of them). I simply
said "No, I'm not, but if you enter someone's property and take
something without asking their permission, then it's likely you are
comitting theft". This is not accusatory (they all know their rights!),
but lets them know you're watching them and are prepared to act. That
is usually quite sufficient.


Just reverting back to gardening, when we had plant thieves in our
road, our CCTV camera footage helped the police catch the villains
involved, which was most satisfying. I doubt they'll be back!

Excellent


We think so. The main thing is to drive crime away from our road, which
can be done sensibly and safely. Just twitching a curtain or opening
the front door and letting 'them' know they've been seen is quite enough
to let them know we have an active Watch scheme. We do rather more than
just put up stickers! ;~).
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On 04/12/2014 22:51, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Spider" wrote

That's me. The neighbourhood witch with the twitching curtain :~)).



Used to be a lot of that when I was a youngster. I sometimes think we
were all a lot safer with the old lady standing at her front gate/door
just watching.



It's true. We were ... and we still are in our lovely little road.
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On 04/12/2014 23:05, Gary Woods wrote:
"Bob Hobden" wrote:

Used to be a lot of that when I was a youngster. I sometimes think we were
all a lot safer with the old lady standing at her front gate/door just
watching.

Years ago, I lived in a typically seedy student apartment in a typically
seedy neighborhood. At night, you could almost always see the glow of a
cigarette in a darkened upper window across the way. Word was that the old
guy there was somehow "connected," and we never had the usual petty
crime/vandalism.



I assume you mean connected to the police, rather than the criminal
under-belly?

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On 05/12/2014 11:07, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 19:58, David wrote:
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot.
They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft,
with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that
these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.



That's me. The neighbourhood witch with the twitching curtain :~)).

I would love to have you as my neighbour.


Aww. Come and move in then. There's a house up for sale.


It is good to know others are
looking out for each other.


Indeed. We really do that thoroughly. I can contact any neighbour any
time. The more able of us shop for and call on the elderly, so they're
less isolated. After all, it's not hard to make that call and offer to
pick something up while you're shopping. Sometimes RG will take an
elderly neighbour shopping in his car so he gets a trip out, rather than
stare at 4 walls.

We also share waste and recycling bins if someone has an extra load of
garden waste, or are having a clear out. If you're using a friend's
bin, use your eyes to make sure there are no leaflets hanging from their
letter box. It's easy to repay the favour.

--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On 05/12/2014 11:06, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 04/12/2014 18:22, Ophelia wrote:


"Spider" wrote in message
...
On 02/12/2014 13:28, Saxman wrote:
On 01/12/2014 18:18, Bob Hobden wrote:
"Janet" wrote

bobhobden says...

Went downstairs this morning at about 07.30 and noticed the front
gate was
open, looked out and there it was gone.

One of our two large Agave americana Marginata, the biggest one
that
was
given to me by a friend over 40+ years ago as a tiny offshoot. They
have
both been in our front garden for years. Has to have been a
"professional"
job as it probably needed two to carry it in it's tall square clay
pot, I
use a wheeled truck to move it, and they would need some sort of
protective
gear, certainly needed a van or pickup to move it away.

Unfortunately I haven't got 40 years to grow another that big!
B'stards

You might ask the local paper to run an article on the theft,
with a
pic of the plant if you have one. Makes it harder to sell, or
display.


The photographer for the local rag called to take photos today and
I've
already had a good discussion with a reporter so it looks like it
will
be in the local papers some time soon.
Reporter seems more than interested that the Police said they could
only
follow up the case if I found good CCTV that could ID the offenders
and/or the vehicle. Said he is hearing too many cases like that these
days.


All these stolen bikes and plants. It's probably bike shops and
nurseries. Think about it. They have the means to shift such things
and look less suspicious in the operation. I certainly wouldn't
suspect
anything if I saw your Agave being loaded into the back of a nursery
van.



Good heavens! I would certainly be suspicious *and* alert the
neighbour
to what was going on. In our road, we talk to our neighbours and if I
knew a neighbour like Bob with a treasured plant of 40yrs tending,
there's
no way I would ignore its being loaded into a van.
But then I am an award-winning neighbourhood watch coordinator with a
very
suspicious streak. I often challenge dodgy behaviour.

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!



Bless you for that, Ophelia! I am always extremely careful, I promise
you. Most incidents are innocent and many challenged from some small
distance. In truth, quite a few are youths that just need moving on,
but we have helped the police catch a few thieves and burglars. We
have about a dozen CCTV cameras to back up anything we see, which
makes a huge difference.

I do think it's important to stand up and be counted, but I truly
avoid taking unnecessary risks. Honest.

Aye, well just be careful!



Thanks. I really will. I've been doing it for 29+yrs and I'm all right
so far. There's a cowardly streak running right through me, like a
stick of rock:~).
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

On Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:22:23 +0000, Spider wrote:


Years ago, I lived in a typically seedy student apartment in a typically
seedy neighborhood. At night, you could almost always see the glow of a
cigarette in a darkened upper window across the way. Word was that the old
guy there was somehow "connected," and we never had the usual petty
crime/vandalism.



I assume you mean connected to the police, rather than the criminal
under-belly?

Having lived in a similar situation the latter is probably more
effective. The "connected" doesn't want the police snooping around
on any excuse. It's along the lines of Not having a Dump on your own
doorstep.

G.Harman

On 05/12/2014 17:02, wrote:
On Fri, 05 Dec 2014 16:22:23 +0000, Spider wrote:


Years ago, I lived in a typically seedy student apartment in a typically
seedy neighborhood. At night, you could almost always see the glow of a
cigarette in a darkened upper window across the way. Word was that the old
guy there was somehow "connected," and we never had the usual petty
crime/vandalism.



I assume you mean connected to the police, rather than the criminal
under-belly?

Having lived in a similar situation the latter is probably more
effective. The "connected" doesn't want the police snooping around
on any excuse. It's along the lines of Not having a Dump on your own
doorstep.

G.Harman




You may be right, but I'd rather not live in that sort of road.
You'd be terrified to park in the wrong spot.
--
Spider.
On high ground in SE London
gardening on heavy clay

"Spider" wrote in message
...

I would never doubt you, but please be careful!

Ah! The nosy old biddy down the road.

Someone who is willing to steal stuff from under the owner's nose,
might
not take too kindly to being challenged and may just hit out.




In a genuinely tricky situation, I call on the police and extra
witnesses. We run a good watch scheme here. Anyway, triggering a
panic button and our alarm system (if need be) would soon frighten any
intruder or thief.

Does every house have them? How would you cope outside if you
challenged some men moving stuff? I hope you would never think to do
that alone???



Many of our houses have alarms, but if I saw something deeply suspicious
with active villains, the chances are our CCTV would pick them up. If I
could raise extra witnesses, that would help (but I refuse to accept any
vigilanteism in our road), otherwise I would trigger my own house alarm by
using the panic button - if I was that worried (I've never had to do that
yet). However, with such an incident, I would simply dial 999 and let the
police come and catch them red-handed. I probably wouldn't need to
challenge the villains.

I hope you have more luck that a guy on the radio today who was saying he
waited on the phone for an hour when he tried to report a burglary at a
neighbours house. A week later, a community policeman came to take a
statement

Often we see suspicious behaviour and take a look outside. If I challenge
someone, I usually just ask if they're looking for someone or something,
or will say "Is that your car?" if they're hanging around. There's no need
to get very close. I can call from my front steps if I wish. Sometimes I
just challenge over-grown kids because they've trespassed on private
property. They're often a bit 'lippy'. One asked me if I was accusing
them of stealing (there were 4 of them). I simply said "No, I'm not, but
if you enter someone's property and take something without asking their
permission, then it's likely you are comitting theft". This is not
accusatory (they all know their rights!), but lets them know you're
watching them and are prepared to act. That is usually quite sufficient.

I am sure you know what you are doing and how to take good care of
yourself.

Just reverting back to gardening, when we had plant thieves in our
road, our CCTV camera footage helped the police catch the villains
involved, which was most satisfying. I doubt they'll be back!

Excellent


We think so. The main thing is to drive crime away from our road, which
can be done sensibly and safely. Just twitching a curtain or opening the
front door and letting 'them' know they've been seen is quite enough to
let them know we have an active Watch scheme. We do rather more than just
put up stickers! ;~).

Obviously that makes a huge difference) Well done


--
http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/shop/