[ExI] crowdsourced crimefighters

[William Flynn Wallace]

The bad news is that
if she injures herself while re-stealing your used cat-con, you are liable

My understanding from a Torts class in 1965 that you are liable to a thief
only if you boobytrap something.  Just a car sitting there won't do, I
think, unless torts' laws have changed.

I think there is something fishy here.  Surely some sort of gadget could be
welded on to prevent those thefts.  Trashing a whole car?
bill w

On Sun, Mar 7, 2021 at 12:17 PM spike jones via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: extropy-chat <extropy-chat-bounces at lists.extropy.org> On Behalf Of
> BillK via extropy-chat
>
> >...Theft of less than $950 in goods is treated as a nonviolent misdemeanor
> under California law. ...
> BillK
> _______________________________________________
>
>
> BillK, as soon as that law went into effect, a crime wave began (and is
> still very much with us) aimed at the very common Toyota Prius (hybrid.)
> Those have two catalytic converters.  Toyota designed them so the front one
> is very convenient for thieves to remove quickly.  The MSRP on a new one is
> $2147.32, of course if you don't work on cars, the local dealer can install
> one for a labor cost of an additional 460 bucks, so it only costs the
> Prius-driver about 2500.
>
> However... when the constables are summoned after a Prius cat-con theft,
> they explain the bad news: They can't count that as a 2500 dollar theft of
> even 2100, since eBay sells used cat-cons, you have the option of buying
> one
> (if you don't mind buying stolen goods (probably your own)) for a mere 949
> bucks, which makes the theft a misdemeanor, which makes it functionally
> legal and is the reason the thief will be back next week if she sees your
> Prius has moved.
>
> The good news is...  oh wait, that was the good news.  The bad news is that
> if she injures herself while re-stealing your used cat-con, you are liable.
> Hey, you supplied the bait.
>
> The good news is... oh wait, that was also the good news.  The bad news is
> that since the word got around about how easy and profitable it is to steal
> catcons from the Prius, that particular model has become practically
> worthless in California.  You can sell them in Nevada, Oregon or Arizona
> for
> a pittance, but really they don't want them either.  The Prius has gone
> from
> the socially-responsible choice to an attractive nuisance with the stroke
> of
> a pen.
>
> My neighbor had his Prius hauled away to the scrap yard where it joined its
> catconless bretheren.
>
> BillK, since you live in a non-crazy nation, your comments and observations
> are welcome.
>
> spike
>
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