we did not move to the country for this

I'm confused about this portion of your post.

Likely from another country. We aren't really 'beloved' abroad. Actually quite the opposite in most countries if you get out of the 'tourist' areas.

I wasn't aware that other countries really believe they are better than anyone else. At least not since Germany and Japan in the forties.

I'm not real sure how my dad mixed in the sugar. I was told this story when I was older & everyone was sitting around talking about it. I just figured putting some water in the gas would mess up someones car as well & save a few $$ by not ruining pure gas with sugar. I really have no idea other than it being mentioned putting sugar in the gas can. Would it disolve in water & then add the gas for smell so they'd take the gas can instead?

Check this out.......www.x10.com .....i bought one and has a sensor to turn on camera and video tapes all action.Works great.

Tabitha,

Moving to a rural area doesn't mean you'll be free from the problems of criminal activity. They just manifest their pathologies in a different way.

Generally criminals aren't going to rape or assault/murder someone for money out here. They know their heads will be blown clean off if they even try it. And that's a good thing.

It's isolated, law enforcement is spread out and neighbors sometimes can't see your property to keep an eye on it. That's the tradeoff from living on a zero lot line suburban sardine can.

The rural criminal element concentrates on property theft mainly due to lack of jobs, drug and alcohol addiction and opportunity.

The mailbox and window smashing vandals are bored kids. Get a re-enforced mailbox on a steel post. Put up a gate to restrict access to your property.

Get a gun for sure. Contact the NRA for training information. Memorize the gun laws for your area. Practice, practice, practice.

And finally, take time to speak with someone from your church who has worked in law enforcement or the military.

Surely someone in your church either is or knows a constable or sheriff's deputy.

Good luck...

Woodspirit, I've mainly come across 'them' disliking 'us' because they think we believe we are better than everyone else. They also really dislike the typical tourist attitude and refusal of any attempt to speak their language. The prices of things magically decline rapidly when you approach them in their language. Thay also don't like the 'fact'(s) that we bully the world, take all their resources, don't care about other nations, don't reel in our government, etc., etc.

ChickenTracy, it used to be believed that it would dissolve. Most of the time eough was put in to clog either the pickup or the filter. Some people did dissolve some into water first then added it to the gas. There are a ton of things you can do. Bad to have done, good to know.

Bad to have done, good to know

roflmao I've never tried it but some punk steal my hard earned gas I'd do it! It doesn't come cheap anymore!

Tabitha,

Look into getting a hunter's game camera (trail cam) and set it up to have a view of your car's fuel door and maybe the window. You'll get photographic evidence of the crook doing this deed.

Good Luck.

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Share the Love,

Diamondtim

You can tell what someone thinks by reading the bumper stickers on their car. You can also tell if they think at all.

DITTO I learned a lot from this thread, I like the electric shock idea myself.

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marching to the beat of a different drummer

Jnap, that quote was posted by red devil. I forgot to do the quote thingy!! I've never tried it but I would tho if someone were stealing my gas.

If you do the 'fun' gas, you better have a good locking cap on your vehicle then to prevent paybacks.

It sounds like only one household knows when you come and go? Hmmmm.
Sorry you are going through this.

Video surveillance systems are becoming quite reasonably priced these days as are home security systems. I would put up good day and IR cameras that cover your house and property and make sure you record them. Even if you don't want to do the whole thing at once you can start out with just a camera or two. It would be better than nothing. The locking cap isn't a bad idea either. No, it won't stop a determined thief but your average sneak thief with a hose and gas can isn't going to be able to noodle through that puzzle. A firearm probably wouldn't be a bad idea either as long as you get the proper training.

Personally I've got my place wired with a bunch of IR cameras and motion detector IR lighting. It's nice and dark outside a night so there is no light pollution to wreck the night sky but everything is visible on camera day and night. All recorded of course. Even have cameras in areas of the house like the basement and garage where I wouldn't normally be. Also have an alarm system. Plus I have motion and seismic detectors around the property to tell me when someone is nosing around the place.

I really have no major crime problems in my area. No one even locks their doors. I had the stuff from work and being the geeky type anyway I get a kick out it. Kinda neat for wildlife watching. Plus it lets me see when company is coming, when the mail is here (I get an alert when someone turns up my drive and another different alert when my mailbox opens) and I can tell when UPS or FED EX is coming (I get different alerts as a vehicle is makes it's way up my driveway) and of course I can observe all of this on video form several cameras watching the area and a pan/tilt/zoomable one.

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Respect The Cactus!

That's a great idea! I love it!

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The less I seek my source for some definitive - The closer I am to fine.

http://williampalmerhomestead.weebly.com/

I saw an episode of "Mythbusters" on Discovery awhile back that tested the "Sugar in the Gas Tank" trick.

They took a clear-view tank, filled it, put in 5 lbs. of sugar, dissolved it, waited overnight, and then started the car. It ran fine. No problems at all. Of course, I don't think they ran it for hours and ran the whole tank through, as a person driving would do.

But they did let it run for awhile and there were no noticible problems. I believe they labled the "Myth" as "Busted". You might be able to find out their criteria and results on the Discovery website. I haven't looked.

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"The most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." - Sir Isaac Newton
(A REAL scientist)

It partially dissolves, but you're right; it leaves evidence. The way we were taught in the Marine Corps (just in case we found ourselves in a situation where you wanted to deny the enemy's use of motorized equipment) was to use Karo syrup. Extremely high sugar content in a liquid form. Does the damage with no crystals left behind.

Gunner

Sometimes birds will fly into windows and smash them. Barking dogs will deter alot of trouble seekers. A locking gas cap available at most auto parts stores will send the thiefs somewhere else. My post office box cost 26.00 a year. If you drive past the post office several times a week, this is a great option. What do mail boxes cost now to replace , 50.00, 75.00? Who needs the headache?

The people that I have encountered abroad and engaged in coversation have a dislike for our government, but they do not have a problem with Americans in general.

Obnoxious, loud, swaggering tourists of any origin are disliked in most places.



Tabitha, if you have a friend nearby who can help, set up a "sting" operation. Get your friend to stay in the house with a camera, and you and hubby leave for a while. If you can get pictures of the culprit, take them to the sheriff.

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Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the heck out of your enemies. - Ferengi Rule of Aquisition #76

Don't blame me, I voted for Ron Paul.

Just out of curiosity, could there be any legal repercussions if someone renders another's vehicle inoperable..... even if that person was stealing gas?

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Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the heck out of your enemies. - Ferengi Rule of Aquisition #76

Don't blame me, I voted for Ron Paul.

I've heard mothballs in gasoline will foul up a vehicle real good....or bad...depending on your view. It's said to be completely untraceable - not sure about that - just a thought.

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Valerie
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Shhhhh......I'm hiding!