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

MSO4foru, ADN · Sep 3, 2019

So it was my coworker who missed witnessing this literally by 10 minutes. Another co workers' car window was smashed and her purse stolen. Which makes 2 cars. I am not such a fool to keep purse in passenger seat, it was in floor board in back. I do not expect security to sit in the parking lot. I do take responsibility for this and will not repeat this mistake. I just think you have to be utter scumbag to do this in any setting. But really. A hospice parking lot?

And it was ( mostly) covered . Obviously not well enough.

Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Sep 3, 2019

2 minutes ago, MSO4foru said:
So it was my coworker who missed witnessing this literally by 10 minutes. Another co workers' car window was smashed and her purse stolen. Which makes 2 cars. I am not such a fool to keep purse in passenger seat, it was in floor board in back. I do not expect security to sit in the parking lot. I do take responsibility for this and will not repeat this mistake. I just think you have to be utter scumbag to do this in any setting. But really. A hospice parking lot?

Girl I was at a clinical site looking all cute. When I looked down at my gas tank, someone popped off my gas door and tried to steal my gas out my motorcycle.

AnaButton · Sep 3, 2019

"If there is nothing of value is visible in your car, they will move on to the next car." NICU GUY, I strongly disagreed with you. My car was broken into 3 months ago. My wallet, which was in the glove compartment, was stolen. The car next to mine was broken into as well & her purse, hidden under layer of blankets, was stolen.

Asystole RN · Sep 3, 2019

8 minutes ago, AnaButton said:
"If there is nothing of value is visible in your car, they will move on to the next car." NICU GUY, I strongly disagreed with you. My car was broken into 3 months ago. My wallet, which was in the glove compartment, was stolen. The car next to mine was broken into as well & her purse, hidden under layer of blankets, was stolen.

Any vehicles with no wallets and purses broken into? I want to meet these thieves who are batting 100!

When I worked home health and would travel to the ghetto I would actually leave my car unlocked figuring I wouldn't lose anything in the car of value since I did not keep anything of value in there and it was easier than buying new windows.

Seems unusual but most people that I know that own cabins keep them unlocked for the same reason. You might lose a can of beans but at least you won't be buying a new window or door.

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Sep 3, 2019

Sorry that happened to you. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, these things happen. Even with security rounding they figured out a way. Thieves are sometimes pretty smart. Imagine if they put that energy into finding a productive way to use it. I hope there are no long term impacts to your finances with the stolen items, good luck.

mimibrown, ADN, BSN · Sep 3, 2019

I think that it's usually crimes of opportunity. And unfortunately sometimes the bad guys are watching people come and go without them noticing. I've worked in high crime areas and have avoided these issues by not taking anything "nice" to work. I bought a winter coat from goodwill to wear to work, I carry my work essentials in a $20 Amazon tote bag, I leave nothing valuable in my car. I don't even go to my car to get anything out during work because that could be a signal for someone around that a purse or wallet has been left in your car, making you a target for a criminal.

It's inconvenient to have to take precautions, but being inconspicuous usually keeps you off bad guy's radars.

pixierose, BSN, RN · Sep 3, 2019

2 hours ago, Asystole RN said:
Any vehicles with no wallets and purses broken into? I want to meet these thieves who are batting 100!
When I worked home health and would travel to the ghetto I would actually leave my car unlocked figuring I wouldn't lose anything in the car of value since I did not keep anything of value in there and it was easier than buying new windows.
Seems unusual but most people that I know that own cabins keep them unlocked for the same reason. You might lose a can of beans but at least you won't be buying a new window or door.

Smart.

In our lot, that’s the one thing I do: keep the car locked. But there’s really nothing of value. And everything is fairly visible - tan seats with absolutely nothing hidden. Nothing in the compartment up front. Not even a transponder on my windshield. Nothing of value in my glove compartment or anywhere else ... but keeping it unlocked might make that easier for someone to take a quick look and move on?

MunoRN, RN · Sep 3, 2019

3 hours ago, MSO4foru said:
So it was my coworker who missed witnessing this literally by 10 minutes. Another co workers' car window was smashed and her purse stolen. Which makes 2 cars. I am not such a fool to keep purse in passenger seat, it was in floor board in back. I do not expect security to sit in the parking lot. I do take responsibility for this and will not repeat this mistake. I just think you have to be utter scumbag to do this in any setting. But really. A hospice parking lot?
And it was ( mostly) covered . Obviously not well enough.

Usually having something visible that could be covering something of value is just as inviting to a thief as being able to see the purse directly.

I've worked in a very high crime area in the past, it was common practice to keep your car empty and leave it unlocked so that your windows don't end up getting smashed in.

Kooky Korky, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2019

10 hours ago, pixierose said:
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.

I re-read OP and see that I misunderstood. Thank you for correction.

Yes, we should be proactive in crime prevention/self-protection. Putting it that way sounds a whole lot nicer and more positive than NICUguy telling her she's to blame.

Does anyone really leave a purse on the seat? Or wallet? Or what? If she did, well, she won't ever again.

OP, get a real small wallet that you can keep in your pocket. Carry the bare minimum of stuff in it.

Get a job in a better neighborhood. Yes, crimes happen everywhere, but moreso in certain areas. Best wishes to you. I'm glad you weren't hurt.

Perhaps the employer will build a parking lot/garage that is guarded/attended 24/7, has good cameras.

allnurses Guide · Sep 4, 2019

8 hours ago, Kooky Korky said:
I re-read OP and see that I misunderstood. Thank you for correction.
Yes, we should be proactive in crime prevention/self-protection. Putting it that way sounds a whole lot nicer and more positive than NICUguy telling her she's to blame.
Does anyone really leave a purse on the seat? Or wallet? Or what? If she did, well, she won't ever again.
OP, get a real small wallet that you can keep in your pocket. Carry the bare minimum of stuff in it.
Get a job in a better neighborhood. Yes, crimes happen everywhere, but moreso in certain areas. Best wishes to you. I'm glad you weren't hurt.
Perhaps the employer will build a parking lot/garage that is guarded/attended 24/7, has good cameras.

They make adhesive sleeves for the backs of cell phones now. Just big enough to hold a drivers license, credit/debit card and a couple of folded bills. Excellent idea. Nobody is leaving their phone in their car, or at least not on purpose (sideeyes myself re: yesterday).

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Sep 4, 2019

On 9/3/2019 at 8:01 AM, NICU Guy said:
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.

Hiding valuables or not keeping them in the car helps, but I've had some friends get some really dumb non-valuable stuff stolen out of their cars. One friend had her book of CDs stolen (this year). My sister had $5 worth of change stolen out of her middle console (it was closed and covered). You can do your best to prevent theft, but it doesn't always work.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 4, 2019

I am sorry this happened. More and more people are doing this for an easy score to support drug habits. A bit of street smarts are needed. As inconvenient as it may be, my purse does not ever stay in my car. It's about more than losing money, but giving away your identity. It's a feeling of profound invasion. Some years back someone broke into my truck and stole my CDs (tried to steal stereo but it was locked in). I felt violated. So I get how the OP can too.

The purse goes where you go. And anything else you don't want to lose.