I have been a law enforcement professional for over 20 years and I have grave concerns regarding this show. Many other officers around the country also have voiced their concerns about this show.
While it is good to educate homeowners how to protect themselves and their property, it is another thing to provide a “step by step” tutorial on how to burglarize and vandalize a house. This series, as it is being presented, is totally inappropriate and does nothing more than glorify criminal behavior, and provide a “guide” to already existing or "wanna be" criminals to hone their skills. Many law enforcement agencies already offer free home security surveys for homeowners and business owners.
Despite the shows intentions, it clearly is nothing more than a course on how to burglarize a house. Remember, the door swings both ways. Another element is watching this program with great interest…. and it is not the homeowners. I strongly suggest that the format of this program be drastically overhauled for the good and welfare of the law abiding general public. If you cant appropriatly overhaul the show, you should drop it.
Well, what haven't they shown yet? I can name at least 10 things Criminals have done in the past that the show HAS NOT even revealed or tried yet. One of them they haven't said yet after they reveal the "loot" portion of the show (hint: it's a feasable idea to get rid of evidence/stolen loot, but you need the proper equipment to do it.) And I have little to no experence in either Criminal Activity or Police Work.
If Jon were using new, complicated or previously unheard of methods of getting in, I would totally agree with you. However, after taping 15 break-ins now, I can honestly say that he only gets in through doors or windows. A door can be kicked in, a window can be broken. These are not inventive ideas, nor do they present knowledge unknown to anyone who can lock a door or properly close a window. What is surprising and revealing is that often times Jon is able to simply find a window or door that is unlocked to enter.
The sad fact is that in the world there are people who have very little respect for others. Terrorism, assault, carjacking, purse snatching, hit and run, prank phone calls, kissing and telling.... These are all things that can be perpetrated on unsuspecting civilians by someone who is willing to take advantage. The goal of this show is to show creative and innovative ways to prevent homowners from being taken advantage of.
[This message was edited by mod_ivy on 02-16-05 at 08:12 AM.]
The content of the show clearly glorifies burglaries and destruction of property, and how to search for property in a dwelling.
Demonstrating criminal activity is a big deal! You can see the glee on the hosts face when rooms are disheveled, and property rifled through, and doors kicked in. I did not see any real concern on the hosts face. While some viewers couch this show as informative, the reality of it is that the criminal element is watching it also with great interest. We must re think this program. The content of the show clearly glorifies burglaries and destruction of property. Demonstrating criminal activity is a big deal!
We need to think about the real consequences of this type of program.
Why stop with burglary, how about adding some more “DIY” reality criminal shows. If you want to learn about crime lets run the whole gambit! How about the following:
1. It Takes a Carjacker 2. It Takes a Meth Dealer 3. It Takes an Armed Robber 4. It Takes an Abductor 5. It Takes a Rapist 6. It Takes a Crack Head 7. It Takes a Purse Snatcher 8. It Takes a Molester 9. It Takes an Arsonist 10. It Takes a Vandal 11. It Takes a Con Artist 12. It Takes a Forger 13. It Takes a Mugger
Alright, I respect that you have committed 20 years of your life to the police department, I respect your opinion and I respect your point. However, it's so exhausting to see the same conversations coming up again and again.
This is a television show. Its entertainment value is as important as its educational value. If it were not it wouldn't be on the air.
The show doesn't teach any new information. It's not a how-to guide for potential burglars. If we want to stop programs that may be educational for criminals let's nix Criminal Justice courses, because I've got to tell you I learned a lot more through my degree program than the show has ever taught me.
The fact of the matter is a criminal is going to be a criminal regardless of what's on television. There are other television programs, video games, etc. out there influencing "potential criminals" to a much higher degree. Why do you insist on attacking this particular show?
I know that being in law enforcement you see things and problems that civilians do not. I understand that; however, I think you are taking it too far on this one and reading far too much into a television show.
The fact of the matter is a criminal is going to be a criminal regardless of what's on television. There are other television programs, video games, etc. out there influencing "potential criminals" to a much higher degree. Why do you insist on attacking this particular show? [/QUOTE]
And you are as guilty as kcjailer for putting the blame of such criminal activity with your blame on Video Games and Movies.
Just because some kid plays Silent Scope, does that mean he's gonna go into some clock tower, and start sniping random people? Or if a kid sees S.W.A.T., does that mean he's gonna take an RPG at fire it at some random Black and White?
That wasn't my point, but I see that it could be misunderstood. My point was the dwelling on this particular show.
No I don't think pop culture "creates a criminal." It's that whole nature vs. nurture argument. I'm a firm believer that a combination of both is involved. The fact is, pop culture may influence people; however, it's not the sole factor in human behavior.
I really appreciate the posts regarding the It Takes A Theif program on the Discovery Channel. Though the debate will never have a true winner my family had a few comical ideas and concerns.
Bandits, theives, robbers and crooks: would they really take notes?
My only real concern is: Is the Discovery Channel shown in prison? - Think about it! An inmate, after a hard day of making license plates, takes off his orange prison work clothes and changes, like Mr. Rogers, into his comfortable orange cell block clothes. He sits patiently, just before lights out, waiting for his favorite show to come on. With the cable tv and his trusty notebook in hand our convict takes copious notes.
Things to remember the next time I'm out! 1. Use a door or a window: cutting a hole in the side of the house took too much time.
2. Ring the door bell or call first: Call first! * Special Note: if they answer the door make sure you give the wife flowers or candy.
3. When leaving the house: Leave a note of thanks! Always remember: Never wear out your welcome!
4. Shower first! Though there are few things more relaxing than a bubble bath . . . shower before you burgal not at the house!
Does the show help a burglar more than it helps an average family? The question will never be answered. My family has watched the show and have made changes to our own home. Though I sympathize with the officers in previous posts, I think the robber watching with pad and paper in hand is the exception to the rule. There's no rocket science to breaking a window and pulling up a garage door.
I think the show does a good thing by showing the sense of real anger the homeowner feels. Our weekly theif isn't out there making friends! When the guy comes back the family is about to rip his head off!
Guys, keep up the good work and please . . . don't quit your job with Discovery! I'd hate to have you back at your old ways!
I was a police officer in the USAF, who cares about what you think the show is teaching it is the jails that are the problem. If the jail systems are hard on the crimnal an don't treat them like they in F&^Kin country club maybe it would scare the sh$t out the person and he or she would never break the law again
Originally posted by kcjailer: Why stop with burglary, how about adding some more “DIY” reality criminal shows. If you want to learn about crime lets run the whole gambit! How about the following:
1. It Takes a Carjacker 2. It Takes a Meth Dealer ...
I can go on and on. I hope you get my point.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
I get your point loud and clear, now let me add one of my own,
How about 14. It takes a COP 15. It takes a Mayor 16. It takes a City Council 17. It takes a Representative 18. It takes a Senator 19. It takes a Soldier
and last but not least
20. It takes a PRESIDENT!!
We could show how you all are the biggest organized criminal gang in the WHOLE WORLD, How you extort motorists and peacable people blind every day of the week, through excessive regulation, taxation, tariffs, and statutory law.
I can't imagine that you are able to harass countless motorists, and investigate/arrest/prosecute millions of other petty violations of statutory law and not be neglecting real common law crimes.
You and your kind are a bigger threat to the freedom and rights of humanity than any burglar ever will be.
I thoroughly enjoyed the post about the inmate in prison taking notes lol. Given that many prisons have cable TV they are probably watching it. I can tell you without a doubt that many of the burglars are repeat offenders. There have been many television shows about home protection that does it without an outright step by step demonstration on how it is accomplished. If someone elects to mimic the burglars on It Takes A thief, they do so at their own peril. People are responsible for their own actions. The content so far on It Takes a Thief appears to be limited to soft targets.
While people want to couch this program as “just another television show” it is not. Public safety is at an issue here and is at the center of this controversy. You cannot cherry pick criminal activity, glorify it, and then cheapen its impact on the public because its now a television show.
Oh and by the way I left one other program idea out of my last post.
Inmates should not have tv's just hard labor. Jails should be like boot camps no nothing no tv's , no visitors. Life in jail should be the last place a person wants to go to. I think the country club way of life in jail should stop.It should be more like P.O.W.camp. Just food, water, clothes,and a bathroom. No tv, no weights, no school , no phone calls NO NOTHING!!!!!
"The show doesn't teach any new information. It's not a how-to guide for potential burglars. ..."
I just learned how ADT calls the house to "verify" an alarm an how easy it is to get past the "verification" of ADT. Try breaking into a Sonitrol secured house and see what happens...
Kcjailer, I agree with your Statements. I find it disturbing to glorify criminal behavior. The thieves on this show are despicable people who chose s teal from hard working, productive members of our society. I don’t need some scum bags to help me secure my home. As for the copy-cats beware, some people such as my self are prepared to neutralize the threat of an intruder into our homes. My wife and I are not violent people but we work very hard for what we have and will not let it go easily. Break into our house and you will leave in a body bag.
this show does not glorify criminals it shows you A:how a criminal can easily break in to your house even if you have dog in your house. B: how to correct it. jon is pvt. investigator now he uses his skills in being a thief to educate others about how people rob you but than how stop it from happening .I also was a thief when i was younger but now i use my skills to put a%#holes back in jail. I always said to catch a thief you need to be a thief and reformed criminals always make the best cops.
I cannot believe that TV has stooped so low!!! This show is pitiful and I think it should be removed from the Discovery Channel's lineup. I am banning this channel until this program is removed. Unbelievable!
I read the bios of the burglars on the show, and I am not impressed. These guys are “wanna be” actors who had a brush with crime. (please read their bios on this site) They are not hardened and smart as they are made out to be on the show. I think that the days of this show are numbered anyway. All the mattress flipping, clothing throwing anf sugar bowl pouring is gonna get old after a while lol.
u guys need to lighten up this show rocks!! who would ban a channel that what only a retard would do!! what about o.c.c. or monster house, mythbusters, monster house all of those shows rock just cause one show isnt so good youll be a retard an block all those shows.............retard............
First off, I too am a police officer and I think the show is great. All those who think the show is a training tool for criminals, get a clue!! It doesn't take a criminal mastermind to figure out they can break into a house by kicking in a door our busting a window with cheap locks. Bad guys learn their skills in prison, not from TV. The show provides valuable information to homeowners who would otherwise be clueless (you fellow officers understand what I'm talking about.) I have even learned things from the show. I mean, locking up bills and checkbooks to prevent identity theft...doh! I should have thought of that long ago.
How about the following:
teal from hard working, productive members of our society. I don’t need some scum bags to help me secure my home. As for the copy-cats beware, some people such as my self are prepared to neutralize the threat of an intruder into our homes. My wife and I are not violent people but we work very hard for what we have and will not let it go easily. Break into our house and you will leave in a body bag.
