Now, they are stealing trash bins!

[Beiruty]

Hi all,

Now, they are stealing trash bins!

Here is the story. 2 weeks ago, I discovered that my trash bins are not the same. A careful inspection revealed that someone has replaced my CWD trash bin with broken ones. It seemed weird at first to justify why this happened. Then, I called City of Allen and reported what happened and few days later, the trash bins were replaced with new ones. I immediately proceeded to mark the trash bins with my address.

This morning, I woke up and the new trash bins are no where to be found. I called Allen PD and an officer showed up and I filled up a detailed report.

It seems that whoever is stealing trash bins wanted to grab NEW bins. First, they replace the old used bins with really broken ones. The home owner would have to replace them and 2 days later, they come and steal the NEW trash bins. A very clever way to maximize their theft!

What makes me more mad is that now I have to pay $200 to get new trash bins.

Be careful out there and report any suspicious vehicle (truck?) roaming in your alleys.

Beiruty.

[suthdj]

Are the bins serialized? If so they can do a trash day search. You having to pay for them is crazy since you are forced to use them.

[Beiruty]

Yeah they are. The Police officer asked me to call CWD and request serial numbers and call back the PD and pass the numbers for their use.
CWD, will replace broken and unrepairable bins, however, I have to pay for the one stolen.

[seamusTX]

Now? I had this happen 15 years ago.

In that time and place, the deal was that a private company picked up the trash. You had to use the bin that they provided, and you had to put a sticker on it, which you could pay for periodically.

Deadbeat jerks (is that allowed by the rules?) would steal the bins and use them until the sticker expired. Then the company would confiscate them. The company made no effort to figure out who stole them, AFAIK.

We also had a neighbor who did not subscribe to the trash service, and put his trash in his neighbors' bins. I never did anything about it, because he was a pathetic old codger.

I guess you figured out by now to chain the bin to a solid anchor except on pickup day.

- Jim

[jeffjames]

I agree with you this an old trend but I listen in news that its still happening in some areas.

[The Annoyed Man]

Friday is trash day for us. Last Friday, our trash can was out at the curb waiting for pickup, and it had the lid closed. We heard a car drive by (there is very little traffic on our street, even from residents) but we didn't think anything about it. A couple of minutes later, my wife looked out the window, and the lid of our can was open, and a large white trash bag had been added to our trash. When I went out to see if there were any identifying items in it so that I could go dump it back on the offender's front lawn, it turned out to be full of dirty diapers. That's when I noticed that several of my neighbors were also sporting an extra white trash bag that looked like it was full of dirty diapers.

Never did find out who did it.

[gigag04]

Seems like that would be an easy MO to track.

[jmra]

Friday is trash day for us. Last Friday, our trash can was out at the curb waiting for pickup, and it had the lid closed. We heard a car drive by (there is very little traffic on our street, even from residents) but we didn't think anything about it. A couple of minutes later, my wife looked out the window, and the lid of our can was open, and a large white trash bag had been added to our trash. When I went out to see if there were any identifying items in it so that I could go dump it back on the offender's front lawn, it turned out to be full of dirty diapers. That's when I noticed that several of my neighbors were also sporting an extra white trash bag that looked like it was full of dirty diapers.

Never did find out who did it.

At first read this made me angry but then I thought - do I want the "all meat burrito's" in my trash can or spread out along the highway? I assume it took more effort to dispose of the trash in this manner than it would have to dump it on the side of the road. Not that this in anyway makes their actions acceptable.

[speedsix]

...it goes to the basic question: "Why do I have to do right and nobody else does?"...I think the trash bins are being stolen for storage...I see them in customers' homes occasionally...I cover my lawn mower with mine and don't recycle...this falls under "petty" thievery...REAL petty...but some folks have no class at all...

[Oldgringo]

Dirty diapers, indeed! How low can one go? Absolutely disgusting, I mean it. YUK and DOUBLE YUK!!

[sugar land dave]

They are making ready to do this in Sugar land. New 96 gallon bins and automated trash pickup for everyone. Thanks for cluing me in on some of the problems with this system!

[snatchel]

Well I guess I wasnt the only one then. Mine kept getting stolen...3 times to be precise. The police filed the reports on them, but found it humorous. To be honest, aside from being out 50$ every couple of weeks I thought it was kinda silly too. So i went to lowes, bought a couple of concrete eye bolts, steel cable, and a couple of padlocks. Cost me 20 bucks i think, but it fixed the problems. After securing my bins by the handles I havent had any trouble- a few of my neighbors did the same thing.

[sjfcontrol]

Dirty diapers, indeed! How low can one go? Absolutely disgusting, I mean it. YUK and DOUBLE YUK!!

Come on, you gotta grin at "The Great Didy Caper"!

[Tamie]

If you shoot the thieves and dump them in your trash bin, will the garbage men haul them away?

[i8godzilla]

Out in the sticks where I am you must contract with private companies to have trash pick up. The company I use will pick-up up-to two containers, however, they will only provide you with one. I went out and purchased an additional can to the tune of about $100. However, I have seen some cans out that have various municipalities names that have been poorly painted over. I always thought they purchased them in some type of surplus sale. That's what I get for thinking........