Theft @ HR Event Site (warning)

patrick.a.juliano@gmail.c · Since 04 Aug 2016 2 Posts New Member

Greetings fellow Kiters!

I wanted to share a story about my kite gear being stolen Friday night (7/29/2016) for two reasons:
(1) - so you better appreciate risk of leaving gear there
(2) - possibility of my gear being returned

Description:

So, Friday night, I stopped at HR ES (hood river event site) to play. I pulled into the parking lot, grabbed my favorite Slingshot 9m, bar-n-lines, and my new high-capacity pump. I walked over to the grass and found a hole to dump my gear, pump-up, and later return with my board, harness etc. I figured I'd chat with someone that was coming in and ask for guidance on the what is the kite size, before pumping up and getting my wet suit on etc

Turns out, a fellow was right there packing up as I was dropping off. How convenient! (lol). So, I chatted with him for a few minutes and decided a 9m might do the trick. So, I went back to my car to fetch my harness, board, and get on my wetsuit. When I returned, to the grass, my kite/bar/pump had vanished. Folks nearby didn't see anything strange and so *poof*, $1500 of gear is gone.

Anyhoo, this was my first bad experience at HR, and it kind of sucks cause I like the community and think of HR folks like extended family. Sad to see this kind of behavior in the community of kiters. Hope my kite is well cared for and has a long life and that the kiter that stole my stuff makes better decisions in the future.

P.j

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Patrick - that sucks!
Hope you have renter's or homeowner's insurance. You'll be covered except for your deductible.
Also - you might think about using a different userid instead of your email address. Posting your email address makes you vulnerable to trolling, spamming, and identity theft.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

My buddy Ivan had his surfboard taken in the exact same manner three weeks ago. I wonder if it's the same person.

Eric

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

This is terrible. Tired of excuses too. Shitbag thieves need their ass thumped so they don't ever forget the experience. With th cost of the parking permits etc and the Ammount of theft down there why don't we have cameras etc. This makes me never want to come to hr. Will enjoy the quality folk in Stevie and lack of cold blooded thieves! hR is a shit show and will continue to get worse as it gets busier. Can't wait for Labor Day as it is time to return after the show has traveled.

Cameras and prosecution are the answer!!

voy-tech · Thu Aug 04, 16 12:13 pm

I always wonder when non-kiters at ES ask "how hard of a sport it is" and "how much it cost to get into", about what are their intentions. I try to assume the best intentions but sometimes I'm like: "it depends" instead of saying $1k-$2k because I feel like some of them might be fishing for theft opportunity with all the gear laying around. I'm pretty sure that on a busy weekend there's over $100k just "sitting" there on the grass. Theft sucks - hopefully it was done by someone who doesn't know the stuff and will surface on craigslist with some weird description (like kite strings instead of bar and lines etc.) and you'll be able to recover it.
Btw. always take pictures of the S/N of all your gear (Slingshot kites have S/N close to the main strut) just in case police finds it and you need to identify the gear.

Sella · Thu Aug 04, 16 1:44 pm

Bummer news Patrick but people should not leave their kites in a bag sitting around at any kite spot. Pump it up, secure with board and take your bag/pump back to your rig to suit up.

Nobody is going to take the time to move your board, deflate, wrap and walk away with it but grabbing a Slingshot bag/pump at the Event Site narrows it down to about 500 people per day during the summer so very easy pickings for bad apples.

Also note to everyone, there are NO cameras installed at the Event site, which seems a bit odd in today's world and I bet Boarding Bob would have appreciated a little video footage recently. Idea

ldhr · Since 21 Jul 2009 1490 Posts Hood River XTreme Poster

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

hilton · Since 15 Aug 2008 803 Posts Opinionated

That sucks for sure. I hope the kite turns up.
Can you post a better description so people can be on the lookout for your gear?

And am I correct in reading that your kite was inflated on the grass (without the board) when it vanished?

Also curious how long you were away changing into your wetsuit, and how late in the evening did it happen?

AC · Since 04 Jul 2012 66 Posts **CGKA Member**

Are they supplementing the Stevenson water supply with testosterone, dianabol, or maybe Heisenberg Blue? If so, I'm moving west. Yes, Stevenson has a great vibe, but two random theft incidents in a month and you'll have people unfairly calling it Stealvenson and demanding cameras and guard dogs.

In the meantime, despite some petty theft that happens nearly everywhere, the ES and HR are pretty sweet kiting locales. When crime happens to you, it's usually traumatic, and I can relate to the sadness and feelings of violation. But I'm not aware of a crime wave galloping through Gorge kiting spots? In fact, I'm amazed at how little conflict and theft occur given the proximity/volume of traffic and availability of gear in these areas. Cameras would be great, but I'm guessing the port has higher priorities. Keep an eye out, label your gear, and enjoy the wonderful Gorge community. Very Happy

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

pollywog · Since 07 Aug 2009 291 Posts Obsessed

Take Jones off your list as "safe". Had stuff stolen last year from the back of our truck which was parked near the launch on the sand. Thieves are opportunists.

A.K. · Since 01 Jul 2006 190 Posts Stoked

Sorry for the loss. And thanks for posting - we will all be more aware.

eric · Since 13 Jan 2006 1866 Posts XTreme Poster

I am truly sorry you got ripped off. We have all been there and the sense of violation often exceeds the monetary loss from theft--for me, anyway.

I just spent some time on the Web trying to find studies on the effectiveness of cameras as a deterrent to crime. The answer seems to be, 'it depends...' Below is the most comprehensive meta-study I found.

http://evidencebasedliving.human.cornell.edu/2014/10/03/does-video-surveillance-deter-crime/

I do think cameras could be effective, along with "smile, you're on camera" signs. I don't know if the true cost is in the time law enforcement staff might have to spend going over video in the event of a reported theft? I assume Joe-Q-Public would not have access, but that a law officer would have to view the footage? Maybe they would prefer this, or maybe this would strain limited limited personnel resources? I don't know.

This kind of crap happens daily at ski resorts. Folks hang out and wait to snatch gear for a quick, cheap sale. For those of you who have rented mtb at Whistler they warn you countess times to never ever leave your bike unlocked, or unattended, even for a moment, as folks are waiting to snatch them.

The water sports scene in The Gorge is a treasure. If a small investment can help deter the few bad apples effectively, and at a cost that the enforcement staff can justify I think it's worth a discussion with the Port, and the Hood River police.

Sasquatch · Since 09 Mar 2005 2102 Posts PNW Bigfoot

Bummer dude you got your sh*t stolen. This might be a pain depending upon where one parks, but what I do is walk to the grass, look, see, and ask what people are kiting on and ask if someone knows the sensor wind strength. Factoring in everything, I decide on a kite size and head back to my car. Suit up, hydrate, sunscreen, and bring my board, lines, kite, harness, and pump (sometimes I pass on the pump). Then I head to the grass and pump up my kite, then hit the water. If I bring a pump I place it against the eastern fence and sometimes tie to the fence with the kite leash (anything that will take time for people who like to steal more time to steal).

With regards to the cameras. Charge another $1 for season holder passes or daily users; that should pay for a least a couple of cameras and the hardware/software to run it.

Justsmile · Since 20 Jul 2009 1530 Posts Not Portland XTreme Poster

Ac had a great rec to funnel all thee energy Into change. Awesome idea. Please let's form a little work group to do a little investigation for camera options , recording , working with the port and hr police. I think this situation can be slowed pretty easy by it just takes a little work. I am game to help but I don't know who the people are to actually work with that can make a decision as see it through. Please as it me so we can all assist each other. Now get on the water and off the computer:-)!

teabagger · Since 15 Jun 2012 68 Posts **CGKA Member**

This is horrible! I do this all the time but I guess I won't be anymore Sad

What year was your kite & bar? Model & color of the kite? If you list it everyone can keep an eye out in re-seller channels for you...