So my car window got smashed and my purse stolen . I was at work

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Specializes in Hospice Home Care and Inpatient.

Happened Sunday night between 10p and 1230a. Same thing to a co worker. I currently work Inpt hospice. Such a thing has never happened before to my knowledge, and I have vacillated between Inpt Hospice and hospice homecare for last 10 yrs. Police report filed. Credit cards cancelled. For literally years, concerns have been raised by employees about security. Only to fall on deaf ears. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what it's going to take for security of healthcare workers to be taken seriously. I know zDogg has posted things related to this on his site. And am well aware this is nowhere near as bad as could have been. Apparently one of my coworker missed witnessing this by 10 minutes. Security had rounded ten minutes prior to co worker running quick errand to vehicle to retrieve snack.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

My heart goes out to you, MSO4foru. Such acts can leave one feeling violated and vulnerable.

I recall a line from the movie "Accidental Tourist" and pretty much live by them: "And most importantly, never take along anything on your journey so valuable or dear that its loss would devastate you."

The parking lot at Wrongway Regional Medical Center in beautiful downtown Eiffel Ill. had numerous automobiles broken into some years back,. Security cameras were inadequate and recorded nothing well enough to identify the culprits. However, for some unknown reason, the situation has not been repeated.

Here's to hoping that yours is the same.

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Specializes in Medsurg.

That sucks. I hope they get caught

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Specializes in NICU.
8 hours ago, MSO4foru said:

Police report filed. Credit cards cancelled. For literally years, concerns have been raised by employees about security. Only to fall on deaf ears. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what it's going to take for security of healthcare workers to be taken seriously.

It sucks that it happened to you, but initial blame should be placed on you. My assumption is that you left your purse on the passenger seat. All they have to do is smash the window and grab your purse, which takes 10 seconds. Was your expectation that security stand next to your car protecting your purse your entire shift. Even if there was a security camera focused on your car and security was 5 minutes away, they would still be 4 minutes too late.

If there is nothing of value is visible in your car, they will move on to the next car. Yes, it would be ideal to have a swarm of security roaming the parking lots and parking garages looking for criminals, but that is not realistic.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I disagree that "blame" should be placed on you. Its never okay to steal, regardless of how tempting it is made. I do agree though that you should exercise basic precautions and keep your purse in a locked locker on your floor or put it in your trunk.

We had a nurse held up in the parking lot at gunpoint a few months back. It resulted in increased security in all employee parking lots. Stuff happens and its an uncertain world. I hope your employer is responsive.

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Specializes in NICU.
2 hours ago, not.done.yet said:

I disagree that "blame" should be placed on you. Its never okay to steal, regardless of how tempting it is made.

I agree that the use of the word "blame" was not proper. How about, the initial responsibility for the security of your property lies with you? But, the OP should not have put the blame on security for not doing their job even though they rounded the parking lot ten minutes prior to the break-in.

11 hours ago, MSO4foru said:

For literally years, concerns have been raised by employees about security. Only to fall on deaf ears. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on what it's going to take for security of healthcare workers to be taken seriously. Apparently one of my coworker missed witnessing this by 10 minutes. Security had rounded ten minutes prior to co worker running quick errand to vehicle to retrieve snack.

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
1 minute ago, NICU Guy said:

But it is perfectly fine to blame security for not doing their job even though they rounded the parking lot ten minutes prior to the break-in.

I definitely do not disagree that the OP could have done a little critical thinking and likely avoided this scenario. There isn't enough security in the world to replace simple actions that are common sense. I recognize, though, that I work in an economically depressed part of town that is pretty crime ridden. I think somewhere less challenged may make people lax. Your reminder is timely.

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That sucks!! It's not really a "healthcare worker" issue, though. It happens to everyone. Even when I had an awful car with no valuables in it, someone tried to steal it. I asked the police WHY???? ...and they said it was probably going to be used to commit other crimes.

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We should not ASSume that OP left her purse visible.

She said she left her snack in the car. Maybe it was in a paper bag under the seat or in the trunk.

OP, do everything you can to prevent this.

NICU, Even if no one saw something he/she wanted to steal, the car itself could have been stolen or vandalized. The world is full of evil.

1 minute ago, Sour Lemon said:

That sucks!! It's not really a "healthcare worker" issue, though. It happens to everyone. Even when I had an awful car with no valuables in it, someone tried to steal it. I asked the police WHY???? ...and they said it was probably going to be used to commit other crimes.

Or the thief needed a ride. Or who knows why? Much evil in our world.

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Specializes in ED, psych.
2 minutes ago, Kooky Korky said:

We should not ASSume that OP left her purse visible.

She said she left her snack in the car. Maybe it was in a paper bag under the seat or in the trunk.

OP, do everything you can to prevent this.

NICU, Even if no one saw something he/she wanted to steal, the car itself could have been stolen or vandalized. The world is full of evil.

Or the thief needed a ride. Or who knows why? Much evil in our world.

She cancelled her credit cards. My impression was that her purse was stolen; coworker was the one who ran to get her snack.

I work in a high crime area. We had a drive by shooting occur with bullets that went through several coworkers cars. We’ve had several break-ins - purses/bags stolen. Despite security presence, they can’t be everywhere at once, and sadly we need to be proactive. I leave nothing, nothing, in plain sight. It sucks. But I agree with NICU guy, you have to be as proactive as possible.

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Specializes in Medsurg.
12 minutes ago, Kooky Korky said:

We should not ASSume that OP left her purse visible.

She said she left her snack in the car. Maybe it was in a paper bag under the seat or in the trunk.

OP, do everything you can to prevent this.

NICU, Even if no one saw something he/she wanted to steal, the car itself could have been stolen or vandalized. The world is full of evil.

Or the thief needed a ride. Or who knows why? Much evil in our world.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I endorse your emphasis.

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43 minutes ago, Snatchedwig said:

Couldn't have said it better myself. I endorse your emphasis.

Agreed but it is one hell of a coincidence that they broke into the one car that had a purse in it.

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