Home and Auto Somebody Took My Garbage - Page 3

Frazod · 03-28-2009, 10:53 PM

My wife and I spent several hours cleaning out the basement today. We generated 10-12 large bags of trash, which I deposited on the curb about three hours ago. Most of it was old clothes that had sat down there for years, empty boxes, old junk, etc. Trash day is Tuesday, but all the bags were sealed and none contained food items, so I wasn't really concerned about them sitting out there for a couple of days.

I just looked out the window a couple of minutes ago, and every single bag is gone. Taken on a Saturday night in freezing rain.

Must be some highly motivated junk vendors, identity thieves, or whoever the hell they are. If they're identity thieves, they're in for a disappointment, since there is no personal information on anything.

People are really, really strange.

SBK · 03-28-2009, 11:57 PM

The first duplex I bought years ago I had something like this happen. The "mixologist" that lived there trashed the joint before she moved out. She left a mattress that looked like someone had pissed the Olympic Rings on it, a crockpot full of rotten cabbage, and in the basement there were waste deep piles of wet clothes.

We put that crap outside, including the golden painted mattress and someone came and took all of it. I feel bad today, but we laughed at the guy that took all the wet clothes. He told us he takes it and sells it and makes $150,000 a year--and we laughed in his face.

That was a strange night.

Fairplay · 03-29-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBK

T
We put that crap outside, including the golden painted mattress and someone came.

That was a strange night.

SBK · 03-29-2009, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

You should have edited the part about the olympic rings of piss.

Mojo Rising · 03-29-2009, 12:29 AM

I used to live in SF and had a problem with trash divers.

When commodities were priced high last year we would have at least 5 groups a day come through on trash day.

It would start at 5 PM when an old Chinese lady with a rolling cart would come through and dig through every blue can out. That would be followed by a few South of the Border neighbors. Some had pick up trucks outfitted with plywood extenders on the bed.

They would leave a mess of what was not valuable. Make a bunch of noise. Cause ID theft concerns and drive up the cost of my trash service.

I would have to go out and yell at them to get out of my trash at least twice a month.

The funny thing is that the people walking down the street looked at me as the bad guy in this.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&sn=002&sc=418

A San Francisco judge has ordered a dozen of the city's most prolific recycling scavengers to stop looting bottles, cans and cardboard from curbside bins.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Bay Area News
Car driven off cliff, man dead inside 03.28.09
Woman killed in motorcycle crash 03.28.09
Stand-off continues in San Jose 03.28.09
California to get $17.5 billion in federal aid 03.27.09

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The court's order, which came at the request of the city's garbage company, aims to crack down on a problem that residents say creates litter and noise and Sunset Scavenger says costs it millions of dollars a year.

The preliminary injunction is the latest effort to stop a wave of recycling theft sweeping California amid rising metal prices and falling employment. Violators would face maximum fines of $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail for each violation.

Sunset Scavenger, San Francisco's official waste hauler, went to court after receiving thousands of complaints from consumers who said organized crews of recycling "poachers" were becoming hostile and dangerous.

The company, a division of giant Norcal Waste Systems Inc., investigated the crews and handed over the details to the San Francisco Police Department - paying overtime for the agency to conduct its own investigation.

"It's an affront to the community. I've seen stacks of complaints by residents whose neighborhoods are ravaged by these guys coming through," said Russ Giuntini, chief assistant district attorney for San Francisco.

Typically, organized recycling theft works like this:

Small groups converge on a neighborhood on the night before regular weekly trash and recycling pickups. Runners go from bin to bin, gathering glass bottles, plastic and aluminum, which are thrown into a pickup truck - often rickety and modified with tall, wooden boards to carry bigger loads.

When the truck is filled, the drivers take the cargo to a recycling center or scrap yard.

Depending on the prices offered for the material, the crews can net hundreds to thousands of dollars on each load.

The garbage company says those figures add up quickly - totaling $2 million to $5 million a year. Ratepayers ultimately pick up the tab through higher trash bills, said Robert Reed, spokesman for Sunset Scavenger.

"When poachers steal these materials, they're reaching into the wallets of our customers," Reed said.

Although the recycled goods can bring in needed cash amid a faltering economy, a shortage of jobs and the soaring costs of food, gas and rent, recycling theft is illegal under state law and San Francisco health codes.

As soon as customers put their beer bottles and soda cans in the recycling bin of the city-authorized firm and take it to the curb, the recyclables become the waste company's property.

The injunction, handed down last week by Superior Court Judge Charlotte Walter Woolard, adds another enforcement tool to the mix, prosecutors say.

"It has a great deterrent effect and should make (recycling theft) much easier to prosecute," Giuntini said.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill sponsored by San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma aimed at curbing recycling theft. The measure requires scrap dealers and recycling centers to ask for identification, such as a driver's license, from anyone who brings in more than $50 worth of newspapers or $100 worth of bottles and cans.

Sacramento and New York City recently passed similar measures designed to thwart recycling raiders.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-29-2009, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

As long there's no personal info in the trash, I really don't care. I just think it's kind of scummy.

Unfortunately, this is true.

I have people rummage through my trash every week. In Los Angeles, we have three trash containers where I live: One for "trash", one for recyclables and one for lawn and forestry.

Before trash day each week, my "trash" bags have been displaced and completely rummaged and my recyclables are gone.

It makes me far more sad than angry, but I always shred anything that could possibly contain personal info (bank and credit card invites, etc.).

Frazod · 03-29-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Unfortunately, this is true.

I have people rummage through my trash every week. In Los Angeles, we have three trash containers where I live: One for "trash", one for recyclables and one for lawn and forestry.

Before trash day each week, my "trash" bags have been displaced and completely rummaged and my recyclables are gone.

It makes me far more sad than angry, but I always shred anything that could possibly contain personal info (bank and credit card invites, etc.).

I have a shredder, too, but I just don't trust people not to tape stuff back together.

BucEyedPea · 03-29-2009, 01:31 AM

I've put a basketball hoop out front and no one ever took it. Go figure.

BucEyedPea · 03-29-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I have a shredder, too, but I just don't trust people not to tape stuff back together.

You need an atomizer.

I've actually burned some stuff on my barbe.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-29-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I have a shredder, too, but I just don't trust people not to tape stuff back together.

Hmmm.

That's a LOT of work. As long as you check your balances monthly for any unwanted charges, you should be fine.

90 days is the limit on schnitzengruben.

Frazod · 03-29-2009, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Hmmm.

That's a LOT of work. As long as you check your balances monthly for any unwanted charges, you should be fine.

90 days is the limit on schnitzengruben.

I have bank statements and pay stubs going back for years. I just keep the shit in boxes in the basement.

Why do they have to put SSNs on pay stubs? No wonder identity theft is so rampant.

**DaneMcCloud** · 03-29-2009, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I have bank statements and pay stubs going back for years. I just keep the shit in boxes in the basement.

Why do they have to put SSNs on pay stubs? No wonder identity theft is so rampant.

No shit.

Not to be "Dad" or anything, but I'd highly suggest a fire-proof safe with a combination like those sold at Costco. I think it cost like $400 and has insurance but it could save your ass someday. It's a worthwhile investment.

Frazod · 03-29-2009, 01:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No shit.

Not to be "Dad" or anything, but I'd highly suggest a fire-proof safe with a combination like those sold at Costco. I think it cost like $400 and has insurance but it could save your ass someday. It's a worthwhile investment.

I'd rather just get rid of the shit at a secure facility of some kind.

KC_Connection · 03-29-2009, 01:49 AM

Not at all relevant, but this reminded me of an episode of Trailer Park Boys (only the greatest TV show ever):

Quote:

Ricky decides to open up "Garbageland" which is his 'business' in which he sells stolen belongings from people in the neighbourhood. He explains to the camera: "One man's garbage is another man person's good ungarbage," and gets Trevor to go up on people's property and bring BBQ's and lawn furniture to the curb. "Once it's at the curb, it's garbage," according to Ricky, so then he's doing people a favour by taking the stuff away from the curb ("Throwing out their garbage"). He goes on to explain that this scheme makes perfect sense, since he believes neither he nor Trevor are stealing. "Trevor goes up, takes the stuff and brings it to the curb. That's taking out their garbage. That's not stealing. I come along and pick it up, so I'm doing people a favour... I'm getting rid of their garbage. That's not stealing. So if he's not stealing and I'm not stealing, who's stealing? No one. It's perfectly fine." He brings all of this "garbage" back to the park to sell to people to make a quick buck.

Pioli Zombie · 03-29-2009, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

They probably took it, donated it and will take thousands off of their upcoming tax return.

Tax deduxtions don't help the poor. I found that out this year. Since the divorce I don't make enough and I don't own anymore. So my personal deduction is more than anything I can deduct.
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**rockymtnchief** · 03-29-2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frazod

I have a shredder, too, but I just don't trust people not to tape stuff back together.

Shred documents along with old newspaper, divide into 3-4 bags, and deliver to the dump yourself.

Also, I believe, they make double shredders.

03-28-2009, 10:53 PM
Frazod WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2000 Casino cash: $3115085	Somebody Took My Garbage My wife and I spent several hours cleaning out the basement today. We generated 10-12 large bags of trash, which I deposited on the curb about three hours ago. Most of it was old clothes that had sat down there for years, empty boxes, old junk, etc. Trash day is Tuesday, but all the bags were sealed and none contained food items, so I wasn't really concerned about them sitting out there for a couple of days. I just looked out the window a couple of minutes ago, and every single bag is gone. Taken on a Saturday night in freezing rain. Must be some highly motivated junk vendors, identity thieves, or whoever the hell they are. If they're identity thieves, they're in for a disappointment, since there is no personal information on anything. People are really, really strange.
Posts: 119,488

03-28-2009, 11:57 PM	#31
SBK Curry is the pick??? Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Georgia Casino cash: $10004900	The first duplex I bought years ago I had something like this happen. The "mixologist" that lived there trashed the joint before she moved out. She left a mattress that looked like someone had pissed the Olympic Rings on it, a crockpot full of rotten cabbage, and in the basement there were waste deep piles of wet clothes. We put that crap outside, including the golden painted mattress and someone came and took all of it. I feel bad today, but we laughed at the guy that took all the wet clothes. He told us he takes it and sells it and makes $150,000 a year--and we laughed in his face. That was a strange night.
Posts: 8,153

03-29-2009, 12:29 AM	#34
Mojo Rising Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: OC Casino cash: $10009560	I used to live in SF and had a problem with trash divers. When commodities were priced high last year we would have at least 5 groups a day come through on trash day. It would start at 5 PM when an old Chinese lady with a rolling cart would come through and dig through every blue can out. That would be followed by a few South of the Border neighbors. Some had pick up trucks outfitted with plywood extenders on the bed. They would leave a mess of what was not valuable. Make a bunch of noise. Cause ID theft concerns and drive up the cost of my trash service. I would have to go out and yell at them to get out of my trash at least twice a month. The funny thing is that the people walking down the street looked at me as the bad guy in this. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&sn=002&sc=418 A San Francisco judge has ordered a dozen of the city's most prolific recycling scavengers to stop looting bottles, cans and cardboard from curbside bins. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More Bay Area News Car driven off cliff, man dead inside 03.28.09 Woman killed in motorcycle crash 03.28.09 Stand-off continues in San Jose 03.28.09 California to get $17.5 billion in federal aid 03.27.09 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The court's order, which came at the request of the city's garbage company, aims to crack down on a problem that residents say creates litter and noise and Sunset Scavenger says costs it millions of dollars a year. The preliminary injunction is the latest effort to stop a wave of recycling theft sweeping California amid rising metal prices and falling employment. Violators would face maximum fines of $1,000 and up to 6 months in jail for each violation. Sunset Scavenger, San Francisco's official waste hauler, went to court after receiving thousands of complaints from consumers who said organized crews of recycling "poachers" were becoming hostile and dangerous. The company, a division of giant Norcal Waste Systems Inc., investigated the crews and handed over the details to the San Francisco Police Department - paying overtime for the agency to conduct its own investigation. "It's an affront to the community. I've seen stacks of complaints by residents whose neighborhoods are ravaged by these guys coming through," said Russ Giuntini, chief assistant district attorney for San Francisco. Typically, organized recycling theft works like this: Small groups converge on a neighborhood on the night before regular weekly trash and recycling pickups. Runners go from bin to bin, gathering glass bottles, plastic and aluminum, which are thrown into a pickup truck - often rickety and modified with tall, wooden boards to carry bigger loads. When the truck is filled, the drivers take the cargo to a recycling center or scrap yard. Depending on the prices offered for the material, the crews can net hundreds to thousands of dollars on each load. The garbage company says those figures add up quickly - totaling $2 million to $5 million a year. Ratepayers ultimately pick up the tab through higher trash bills, said Robert Reed, spokesman for Sunset Scavenger. "When poachers steal these materials, they're reaching into the wallets of our customers," Reed said. Although the recycled goods can bring in needed cash amid a faltering economy, a shortage of jobs and the soaring costs of food, gas and rent, recycling theft is illegal under state law and San Francisco health codes. As soon as customers put their beer bottles and soda cans in the recycling bin of the city-authorized firm and take it to the curb, the recyclables become the waste company's property. The injunction, handed down last week by Superior Court Judge Charlotte Walter Woolard, adds another enforcement tool to the mix, prosecutors say. "It has a great deterrent effect and should make (recycling theft) much easier to prosecute," Giuntini said. Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill sponsored by San Francisco Assemblywoman Fiona Ma aimed at curbing recycling theft. The measure requires scrap dealers and recycling centers to ask for identification, such as a driver's license, from anyone who brings in more than $50 worth of newspapers or $100 worth of bottles and cans. Sacramento and New York City recently passed similar measures designed to thwart recycling raiders.
Posts: 1,792

03-29-2009, 01:31 AM	#37
BucEyedPea Gimme My Berries Back! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: None of your business Casino cash: $3459963	I've put a basketball hoop out front and no one ever took it. Go figure.
Posts: 161,824