By Pun based on Boston culture... on Mon, 11/18/2013 - 10:40pm.
Even if they were all cheap shoes you're easily talking about a few hundred dollars of stolen property. You'd probably want to call a non-emergency number, but I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping the cops informed just in case they can do some minimal diligence to find the person. If they say "yeah, there's not really anything we can do: they're shoes, get over it" well at least you tried.
The dispatchers at 911 are capable of determining priorities based on the call queue. If you are reporting a crime use 911. You can tell them it is not an emergency and they will understand. The desk jockey at the police station number is just going to route you to 911 because he can't dispatch anyone since it has to go via 911 so they can know their officer assignments.
By Anon and on and on on Tue, 11/19/2013 - 11:36am.
I'm sorry Kaz but that disagrees with what the police in many of the towns that I have lived in have specifically told me (us): to NOT call 911 with non-emergencies like this and to call the non-emergency number. We can have a discussion about what is an emergency and what is not but in this case it is hard to argue that this is an immediate threat to life or property. The shoes are gone and will be hard to locate.
When Should I Call 9-1-1?
Call 9-1-1 to report police, medical, or fire emergencies, or in situations requiring a timely response by police. You can also call to report some categories of past crimes.
The times I've called the BPD non-emergency number when someone parks in front of my driveway they always say to call 911, even though I've made it clear it's not an emergency.
The oficial FAQ I linked to more or less suggests that all current crime reports (even non-emergency ones) should be made to 911, but doesn't come right out and say this.
Find the guy/guys who did it? They may be caught doing something else. Like maybe their place gets raided for drugs and the police also discover a crap ton of yoga shoes.
Eight pairs, if they are cheap, is still $250 worth of shoes. If they are the kind that many people in cities buy to walk in (or boots), it could be over $1000 worth.
Of course, theft of someones soles is a stain on your karma ;-)
Mikey, I don't get what you mean by 'only in the North End' ...? I must be missing something. Do you have a problem with residents of the North End?
Furthermore, why wouldn't cops be called for a theft at a business? Have you seen the price of sneakers lately? Easily $100 if you need a quality pair for running. 13x$100 = $1,300. I think that merits a call to the cops!
If someone stole your bike, would you not call the cops?
Good point Anon, I agree. It would suck to have your shoes stolen (or anything, for that matter). I guess this is why they were installing security cameras this week, and I've seen a cop walking around in there like twice this week already.
One cop did come and take a report, though he didn't seem to think there was much hope people would get their shoes back. But at least the cops know to be aware if a bunch of worn shoes turn up for sale outside Haymarket or something.
The shoes taken were a variety of sizes, and it wasn't a very discriminating thief - he/she took a number of pairs of Toms and cheaper shoes but left more expensive ones. Foot fetishist maybe?
Comments
Can't be hard to find someone
Can't be hard to find someone with 16 feet.
Embracing the concept
"Never criticize a man until you have walked a mile in his shoes." In this case, the thief was embracing this concept 7 times over.
Bulk-rate discount?
Does this mean the thief need only walk a furlong per pair of shoes to truly understand the owners?
Worry not
From the looks of all the ads this site just spun up, Zappos has large numbers of shoes to replace them.
Was he hoofing it?
Was he hoofing it?
Is
Rex Ryan in town?
Person gets kicks...
Story is for the dogs.
OK, not as good as hoofing it.
Only in the North End would
Only in the North End would they call the police for this....What are the police supposed to do?
It's worth a shot
Even if they were all cheap shoes you're easily talking about a few hundred dollars of stolen property. You'd probably want to call a non-emergency number, but I don't think there's anything wrong with keeping the cops informed just in case they can do some minimal diligence to find the person. If they say "yeah, there's not really anything we can do: they're shoes, get over it" well at least you tried.
Always call 911
The dispatchers at 911 are capable of determining priorities based on the call queue. If you are reporting a crime use 911. You can tell them it is not an emergency and they will understand. The desk jockey at the police station number is just going to route you to 911 because he can't dispatch anyone since it has to go via 911 so they can know their officer assignments.
Disagree
I'm sorry Kaz but that disagrees with what the police in many of the towns that I have lived in have specifically told me (us): to NOT call 911 with non-emergencies like this and to call the non-emergency number. We can have a discussion about what is an emergency and what is not but in this case it is hard to argue that this is an immediate threat to life or property. The shoes are gone and will be hard to locate.
Boston's 911 policy
When Should I Call 9-1-1?
Call 9-1-1 to report police, medical, or fire emergencies, or in situations requiring a timely response by police. You can also call to report some categories of past crimes.
http://bpdnews.com/emergency-911/
"Disagree"
The times I've called the BPD non-emergency number when someone parks in front of my driveway they always say to call 911, even though I've made it clear it's not an emergency.
Disagree?
With who?
The oficial FAQ I linked to more or less suggests that all current crime reports (even non-emergency ones) should be made to 911, but doesn't come right out and say this.
The other night I tried to
The other night I tried to phone the non-emergency number stored in my phone, it was out of service:
16173434911
Doesn't matter what other towns do though
What matters is what Boston's policy says, and 911 can be used in other situations.
Like in the movie
about the pool hall. Guy says, "A hundred and fifty bucks? You go into a shoe store with that, you come out with one shoe."
Eight folks shoes? Easily felony theft. Unless they are cheap-ass folks.
Find the guy/guys who did it?
Find the guy/guys who did it? They may be caught doing something else. Like maybe their place gets raided for drugs and the police also discover a crap ton of yoga shoes.
Shoes aren't cheap
Eight pairs, if they are cheap, is still $250 worth of shoes. If they are the kind that many people in cities buy to walk in (or boots), it could be over $1000 worth.
Of course, theft of someones soles is a stain on your karma ;-)
Bring flip-flops?
Because I can't imagine having to walk home barefoot through the North End, on the T, or in a cab. Ick.
Mikey, I don't get what you
Mikey, I don't get what you mean by 'only in the North End' ...? I must be missing something. Do you have a problem with residents of the North End?
Furthermore, why wouldn't cops be called for a theft at a business? Have you seen the price of sneakers lately? Easily $100 if you need a quality pair for running. 13x$100 = $1,300. I think that merits a call to the cops!
If someone stole your bike, would you not call the cops?
Right on, Anon.
Good point Anon, I agree. It would suck to have your shoes stolen (or anything, for that matter). I guess this is why they were installing security cameras this week, and I've seen a cop walking around in there like twice this week already.
OP here
One cop did come and take a report, though he didn't seem to think there was much hope people would get their shoes back. But at least the cops know to be aware if a bunch of worn shoes turn up for sale outside Haymarket or something.
The shoes taken were a variety of sizes, and it wasn't a very discriminating thief - he/she took a number of pairs of Toms and cheaper shoes but left more expensive ones. Foot fetishist maybe?
Fetishist was my first
Fetishist was my first thought too. You may not want those shoes back.
Close call
My girlfriend asked if I wanted to go to yoga with her, but I said "nahmaste" home.
Nice one!
Nice one!
In this country, is there
In this country, is there really a market for used shoes?
I saw them put up cameras
I saw them put up cameras last night, so this fool is definitely getting caught if he tries any more funny business!
Making sure that....
... there's no more mischief afoot.