Prison is the real "crime school", not this show. If this show had been on a few years ago, maybe I would have been a little more careful (i.e., had the broken alarm fixed), and I would not have found two burglars in my apartment.
The purpose of this show is to make homeowners more security-conscious. It's unfortunate that burglars might also learn something from it, but it is more likely they would learn burglary tips from their fellow criminals.
It's not that thieves learn from the show, it is that the show glorifies antisocial, criminal behavior.
How about doing an episode where a neighbor spots the criminals, calls the cops, they're arrested, tried in court and sent to jail - where hidden cameras keep track of their movements?
Now, that would be a show worth watching.
[This message was edited by ratbag on 05-08-05 at 11:57 PM.]
Like it or not criminals are out there. A 12 year old kid threw a brick through my bedroom window 14 years ago. Who do you think taught him? I can promise you his education didn't come from a cable tv show.
Why cancel the show? It's helped me get my home more secure and pointed out a lot of my weak areas since it was broken into back last November. I've heard people say the show's "so phony". Let me tell you something, it isn't. Real thieves do break in and make complete messes of people's homes to get what they want. I wish this show would have been on sooner.
This is the greates show (After OCC, Rides, and hot rods). It drought many things to light whe it comes to home security. Changes I made after watching the show. -Dead bolt. -Alarm with key chain option. -Bolted down the safe.
Canceling the show wont help.....it all comes from the parents, my friend stole a car because he saw his dad steal beer when he was like 6,that give the children the mentality that it is right because their parents are doing it.
[dont mean to sound like doctor phil, im just reading this of an old magazine ]
I do not know about the rest of you i watch the show for a learning expirence. I know that the people that get "robbed" learn from the expirence, and that most likely they will not get robbed agian.
baysailing, ceodata - This show is about the most timid B&E I have ever seen. I live on Hilton Head,SC where most of my friends and myself have done security. Most of the island is covered with security and law enforcment in gated communities where people felt safe.
Before the airing of this show I had witnessed several smashed windows, keys found under mats etc. We had a 3 sets of robberies in one night consisting of 4-10 houses in one night. Each house the doors were left unlocked. A few of the houses had people (mostly elderly) and some people slept through there own room being robbed.
If for one second you think that this show is showing the true techniques and tactics, your seriously wrong.
ratbag - This show doesn't glorify anything but the lack of security concious behavior that is rampent in the world. Both of the hosts of the show explain that people who rob houses don't care about the owners. Which is a desitinct fact. Even better is they don't show these people being caught, because they aren't caught that often. Id say in a four months time at one place there were about 30 robberies and only one aprehension.
The worst part is a few of the robber's that have been caught still live in the area they robbed, are known by the police and continue. The problem is these guys have learned to navagate around the police, and security with ease.
Not to mentions all the things this show doesnt publicise. Bump key's, alarm disabling(although one show had it there wasnt an explination), the use of spotters watching houses to see where things are hidden.
Need I go on?
I would sincerely love to here what you think about my information. I also would love to know what thought process brought you to this conclusion.
"How about doing an episode where a neighbor spots the criminals, calls the cops, they're arrested, tried in court and sent to jail - where hidden cameras keep track of their movements?"
TALK ABOUT A FICTION SHOW!!!! I am a police officer and I can tell you that even when these guys are arrested, it is VERY difficult to get them through the system and put in jail. I was in court the other day when a judge "felt sorry" for a burglar who was convicted of 13 home burglaries. The judge listended to this criminals sad story and excuses then sentenced him to probation. You got to be kidding me!
There is no reason to cancel this show. I think its a great idea that makes people think. It will help people much more than it would ever hurt someone. At a minimum people are more aware of some of the suspicious traits of burglars and they may call police. At a maximum, people will make their homes more secure.
What I love the most is the security systems with the video cameras. WOW, what awesome evidence that would be in court!!!
I vote to keep the show! I'd like to see it daily! I record all the shows then use the tips to assist people I deal with in the real world on real police calls.
I used to steal on a reguler basis and watching this show has turned me around.
Anymore i don't steal seeing how the people react to being stolen and me turning around from some punks stealing from me.
It's hard and i think that turned me around.
Some of the tips on the show are also really good information on the safty side.
On the side about the criminals learning somthing Lol, i havent learned a thing from this show that i couldent have learned from a book at the library or one of my friends.
I learned how to crack a safe in 10 minutes. From a buddie of mine. It's Very simple and the show saying you should bolt your safe down. You SHOULD! it's very simple to do it and if you have money specially alot of money in there it's worth your time to.
As a Ex-burgaler i say keep the show. It has some great advice for home owners.
KEEP the show. I've been watching it for sometime, now. I don't have a criminal record, nor do I have any desire to steal from anybody to get one because of the show. Matt and Jon don't giving a step by step process of how to commit a felony. So, celebrate the fact the purpose of the show is to educate - how to keep your home, and most importantly, your family safe from what, unfortunately, is a reality...crime
Those interested in KEEPING the show, check out the topic on the boards, Say it isn't so. We're right there with you!
More power to you, but you won't get it to go off. If you don't like it then don't watch. The news promotes violence very night. I think we should ban the news programs for promoting violence on TV. Wait a minute I say ban all shows that have violence. I say we all call the sponsors and say we love the show and see who wins on whether the show goes off.
Cancel the show? - Sure why not. I mean let's see why would we want a show on television that teaches us A LESSON. Try to keep that in mind folks, it's not intended to help thieves but to help homeowners keep their property and families safe.
I have lived in a small town my whole life. I've always had a false sense of security. My 13 year old does not miss an episode and has got me hooked on it and it has really helped me.
A few weeks ago, I came home from the 5 minute trip to the post office to find my dead bolt locked. I knew I didn't lock it because I didn't even lock the doorknob. As I was getting my key to unlock the door and find out who was in my house, the scenes from the show popped into my head. I put my grandson back in my car and went down to the store to call the police. They didn't find anyone in my house - the door was unlocked and open when they got here - and nothing was taken but I did find out later from my neighbor that while I was gone to call the police someone tried to get in her house.
Yes, locking the door and not going in the house when you think someone is inside is common sense. But if I hadn't been watching the show, I don't think it would have dawned on me that I could be putting myself and my 2 year old grandson in harms way.
I love this show and I'm already losing Monster House - leave It Takes a Thief alone!
NO WAY CANCEL THE SHOW !!!!!!!! I make my two children take a nap during this show so that I can see it in peace. This show is GREAT! It truly is a show that people can watch and learn from. I admit I used to not use my alarm when I left the house because I didn't think that I needed too. That I was safe, my neighbors would look out for me and my house. Well now my alarm is on everytime I leave the house! The show is truly an eyeopener for alot of people including myself. It has made me think and be more aware of the potential danger that could happen in our neighborhood. I always make it a point to watch this show Monday - Friday. I dare not miss an episode. I absolutely love "It takes a Thief"!!!!!!!
I am a police officer, I love hearing and reading comments like yours. This show is an eye opener, so I happy to see that some people are taking the message to heart.
If more people protected themselfs, I could spend more time being proactive rather than reactive as a police officer.
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