"daniel peterman" wrote in message
...
I am always surprised by high speed chases of suspected stolen cars.
Aren't there millions of cars, trucks whatever on the roads? A stolen
car is an issue between the owner and the insurance company. This is
different than somebody ripping off your fine china or Rolex. The
police scare the **** out of thieves and provoke chases that would
usually end in no incidence if there were no sirens and flashing lights.
Many times innocent people and property are damagd by car
thieves trying to outrun copters and cop cars. Let them go, I say. It's
just a car. Its parts won't vaporize off the face of the Earth. Cars and
other vehicles are very seldom actually owned by the people who garage
them. Metallic status symbols. Why should police be involved except in
the carjacking cases? Totally different issue.

Your point (vehicle theft) is interesting. You can get the police and the
DA fully behind catching and convicting someone of stealing a $ 500 car.
BUT, in my case, I had surveying equipment ($ 28,000) stolen right in front
of my crew's nose, we got a description and license number and were told by
the police (Oakland, CA) "sorry, it's an insurance matter". What a signal
to send to would be thieves.

ANYWAY, it's interesting how vehicle theft is actively pursued due to our
penal codes. I suppose it is a carry-over from horse thieving days. Our
vehicles are everything. Other things don't matter.

Ivan Vegvary

ps
BTW, did recover the equipment 6 years later because the serial numbers were
recorded at my dealer and sent to all other dealers. Eventually the
equipment was brought in for servicing and I was notified immediately.
Interesting how the person that brought the equipment in for servicing
happened to have the same license number that we recorded 6 years
previously.