Family Car Burglarized In MK Parking Lot

[Boost]

http://www.wesh.com/news/central-flo...z/-/index.html

Thoughts?

[faline]

I don't think this a rare occurrence at Disney World. I've heard of similar break-ins in the past. A few times I have taken the risk of leaving my property in the car while in a Disney lot (as on check out day when we leave directly from the park to the airport) and have always been relieved when I've found all intact when I return to the car. This could happen anywhere. I don't think we can hold Disney to a higher standard than the owner of any other parking lot in the country.

[Boost]

Point taken, but I think that WDW could take some relatively easy measures to TRY to prevent this from happening in the future.

Three ideas:

(1) Security officers on Segways (surely WDW can get some of these outfitted for Security in the parking lots) with lights on them?

(2) Add a few more of the Security "Crow's Nest" type of outposts in various areas of the parking lots (have seen these at Downtown Disney, Studios, etc.).

(3) Eventually add security cameras in parking lots with high visibility signs as you enter the parking lot areas and additional signs within the parking lot areas.

Not exactly rocket science....

[VWL Mom]

I have to ask, why did they have a loaded gun in the car?

[Boost]

I was thinking the same thing (about gun in the vehicle); I would be willing to bet that at any given time, there are perhaps thousands of weapons on Disney property at any given time.

It's unfortunate to think that we've gotten to such a point in our society. It's also unfortunate to think that all it will take is one incident for someone to get caught with a weapon in one of the parks and then we will be walking through metal detectors, taking our shoes off, etc.

Very sad....

[Tekneek]

We all like to pretend that nobody on property would steal anything, but we've had items stolen from us on two different trips. The unfortunate thing is how badly we were treated by both Disney Security and Orange County when it happened.

[1DisneyNut]

I was thinking the same thing (about gun in the vehicle); I would be willing to bet that at any given time, there are perhaps thousands of weapons on Disney property at any given time.

It's unfortunate to think that we've gotten to such a point in our society. It's also unfortunate to think that all it will take is one incident for someone to get caught with a weapon in one of the parks and then we will be walking through metal detectors, taking our shoes off, etc.
Very sad....

And you would be correct. Why are you so surprised by this. I have had a concealed carry permit since the day I turned 21 and I have my weapon with me everywhere I go. When you have a weapon with you, you have two choices, wear it in or leave it in the car. I don't wear it into the parks as I feel relatively safe there but I have worn it in Downtown Disney numerous times in the past when they were having a lot of crime there. Also, there is no way in hell, I would travel on the interstate, especially at night; without my weapon. I guess my point is, there is a significant percentage of people with concealed carry permits and you are around guns all day every day and never realize it.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

I have to ask, why did they have a loaded gun in the car?

I am sure we just have different perspectives to draw from, and the previous posters have covered my thoughts well, I just want to point out that I thought it was humorous to ask why the victims of a felony had a gun? Seemed humorously self explanatory to me!

From the comments section on the article website:

a place as large as that, and one who has the @#$@# to charge $15 per day to park, doesn't provide security cameras? And has stupid security? No excuses other then greed.

Ditto

[Renfairwedding]

In December we were in the EPCOT parking lot when a nearby car alarm when off. In no time a bike cop was there checking it out.

[magicofdisney]

And you would be correct. Why are you so surprised by this. I have had a concealed carry permit since the day I turned 21 and I have my weapon with me everywhere I go. When you have a weapon with you, you have two choices, wear it in or leave it in the car. I don't wear it into the parks as I feel relatively safe there but I have worn it in Downtown Disney numerous times in the past when they were having a lot of crime there. Also, there is no way in hell, I would travel on the interstate, especially at night; without my weapon. I guess my point is, there is a significant percentage of people with concealed carry permits and you are around guns all day every day and never realize it.

I am sure we just have different perspectives to draw from, and the previous posters have covered my thoughts well, I just want to point out that I thought it was humorous to ask why the victims of a felony had a gun? Seemed humorously self explanatory to me!

From the comments section on the article website:

Ditto

[WDWdreamer87]

(1) Security officers on Segways (surely WDW can get some of these outfitted for Security in the parking lots) with lights on them?

It's pretty dangerous to be driving a segway in a packed parking lot, lights or no lights. And I'd rather see security be patrolling for safety of guests, not cars.

(2) Add a few more of the Security "Crow's Nest" type of outposts in various areas of the parking lots (have seen these at Downtown Disney, Studios, etc.).

Have you ever tried parking at Downtown Disney with those crows nests? they take up way too many parking spots.

(3) Eventually add security cameras in parking lots with high visibility signs as you enter the parking lot areas and additional signs within the parking lot areas.

Not exactly rocket science....

The ticket you receive indicates clearly that you should hide any personal items from sight. If you'd hide it at home, you should hide it as a guest. People know tourists don't think about these things, so it's an easy target. Security cameras won't catch a thief, only locate them. Prevent the action by hiding your possessions!

[Dixie Springs]

We had a video camera stolen while in the Expedition Everest shop. Disney was not very helpful. Acted like it happens a lot, etc. I asked about security cameras, and they said they had none. I wanted to perform an experimental shop-lifting to test that assertion.

It wasn't so much the camera, the creep could not have gotten much for it (maybe a half-day's worth of meth). It was the family video that we lost. Was not a 'magical' day for us...

[Tekneek]

It wasn't so much the camera, the creep could not have gotten much for it (maybe a half-day's worth of meth). It was the family video that we lost. Was not a 'magical' day for us...

I agree completely. We replaced my wife's camera, even upgraded from what was stolen, but we could never get the photos back. It happened at Buzz Lightyear and the castmembers were slightly compassionate, but not too interested in helping out.

The treatment we got from Disney Security and then Orange County led to us bailing on our vacation early that year. We got to experience the cold and ruthless side of Disney that most guests rarely get to experience.

[cfoshe]

Well, this story did not state, but I assume the GPS was out in the open/visible. Leaving anything of value leaves you at more a risk than if everything is hidden. I would assume the computer and gifts where easily seen too.

Now if the crook has a key less remote that just so happened to unlock the car, nothing you can do since most cars have trunk switches inside the car.

The gun does not surprise me either. I always travel with a loaded gun with me. Never carried it into the parks, but I lock it up in the room safe.

[kbean]

I keep my bazooka in my trunk. It won't fit in my fanny pack.

[Mickey'sGirl]

I keep my bazooka in my trunk. It won't fit in my fanny pack.

You're funny.

[Stu29573]

I had a gun in my car every time I drove to WDW. I am licensed, and I'm not driving my family across four states without it.

[Granny Jill A]

Leaving anything of value leaves you at more a risk than if everything is hidden.

So true. I work at a public university, and cars are routinely broken into if so much as a handful of change is visible.

I lock EVERYTHING of value in my trunk and cross-lock it so they can't open my doors and pop the trunk. I guess they COULD cut through the back seat and get my stuff, but that's more work than most thieves want.

So sorry to hear about the family's loss, but NO PLACE is safe.

[Polynesian Dweller]

Thefts from cars are crimes of opportunity. The thief sees something and grabs it. I once had a police officer friend demonstrate what is often used and how fast it happens. He had a ball bearing on rubber band. Pull it back a couple of inches and bang out goes a window. A thief can be in and out in under 15 seconds. Very hard to see happen. They also use escape hammers.

More sophisticated ones use lock pick tools and other devices. One of our maintenance guys had the tools because of work needs. He could get in and out of things in no time at all.

The point is, even with all the security in the world you may not see it in a parking lot. Your best defense is leave nothing visible.

[Sweetpea29488]

So true. I work at a public university, and cars are routinely broken into if so much as a handful of change is visible.

I lock EVERYTHING of value in my trunk and cross-lock it so they can't open my doors and pop the trunk. I guess they COULD cut through the back seat and get my stuff, but that's more work than most thieves want.

So sorry to hear about the family's loss, but NO PLACE is safe.

How do you cross lock the trunk? Sorry if I sound stupid but not sure on how you do this. Thanks