LA Fitness: Where Safety Comes Last
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:36 pm
I'm sure this isn't news to some of you, but fitness clubs are among some of the more dangerous places we hang out. Ironically, most people are oblivious to the danger and feel relatively safe while working out.
I was recently at the LA Fitness near my home in Spring on a Sunday evening. When I parked, I stood in the parking lot for a moment and observed a young, skinny Asian man walking along the rows of cars, slowing to look down between cars as he passed. When he saw me watching, he quickened his pace and walked into the gym.
When I exited the gym an hour later, I noticed that someone had punched the lock on my truck and stolen two magazines of ammo, a checkbook, my toolbag, my PDA and a portable gun safe (empty) that was attached with a cable lock (the guys had bolt cutters). Precinct 4 showed up in about 10 minutes (WOW!) and told me that they respond to a vehicle break-in about every other night. Odd, considering LA Fitness staff told me they had only one break-in in the past six months. The officer also said they frequently respond to reported locker break-ins, as well.
LA Fitness' response? It's not their problem. They tell you not to leave valuables in your car or locker. They provide no security or video surveillance of any kind, and have no intentions of providing any, nor do they make their patrons aware of the dangers.
The gym is a prime target for criminals, because they know that when you enter the gym, you'll be in there for at least 30 minutes and your vehicle is all theirs.
I have serious issues with an organization that takes no steps to provide for the safety or security of its patrons, nor does it take responsibility when these things happen. The criminals are brazen enough to jack cars in broad daylight. In my opinion, they're only inches away from assaults, rapes and kidnappings. The situation is an accident waiting to happen. You can sit in the parking lot and watch throngs of oblivious young girls leaving the gym with their cell phone glued to their ear. The last thing on their mind is personal safety.
Crime escalates when unchecked. LA Fitness, in the interest of making money, sees to it that this crime remains unchecked. To provide security would cost money. To inform their customers would cost them business. Most of you know that I'm a huge advocate of personal protection, and I do believe that we are all ultimately responsible for our own safety. However, I do believe businesses have a responsibility to provide a reasonable level of security for their patrons. LA Fitness fails miserably.
Bottom line: If you attend one of these big cookie-cutter gyms, don't leave valuables in your car (certainly not in plain view) OR your locker. If you're carrying, you'll need a VERY secure method of locking away your firearm, because the thieves carry tools.
Have any of you had similar experiences with LA Fitness or other McGyms?
I was recently at the LA Fitness near my home in Spring on a Sunday evening. When I parked, I stood in the parking lot for a moment and observed a young, skinny Asian man walking along the rows of cars, slowing to look down between cars as he passed. When he saw me watching, he quickened his pace and walked into the gym.
When I exited the gym an hour later, I noticed that someone had punched the lock on my truck and stolen two magazines of ammo, a checkbook, my toolbag, my PDA and a portable gun safe (empty) that was attached with a cable lock (the guys had bolt cutters). Precinct 4 showed up in about 10 minutes (WOW!) and told me that they respond to a vehicle break-in about every other night. Odd, considering LA Fitness staff told me they had only one break-in in the past six months. The officer also said they frequently respond to reported locker break-ins, as well.
LA Fitness' response? It's not their problem. They tell you not to leave valuables in your car or locker. They provide no security or video surveillance of any kind, and have no intentions of providing any, nor do they make their patrons aware of the dangers.
The gym is a prime target for criminals, because they know that when you enter the gym, you'll be in there for at least 30 minutes and your vehicle is all theirs.
I have serious issues with an organization that takes no steps to provide for the safety or security of its patrons, nor does it take responsibility when these things happen. The criminals are brazen enough to jack cars in broad daylight. In my opinion, they're only inches away from assaults, rapes and kidnappings. The situation is an accident waiting to happen. You can sit in the parking lot and watch throngs of oblivious young girls leaving the gym with their cell phone glued to their ear. The last thing on their mind is personal safety.
Crime escalates when unchecked. LA Fitness, in the interest of making money, sees to it that this crime remains unchecked. To provide security would cost money. To inform their customers would cost them business. Most of you know that I'm a huge advocate of personal protection, and I do believe that we are all ultimately responsible for our own safety. However, I do believe businesses have a responsibility to provide a reasonable level of security for their patrons. LA Fitness fails miserably.
Bottom line: If you attend one of these big cookie-cutter gyms, don't leave valuables in your car (certainly not in plain view) OR your locker. If you're carrying, you'll need a VERY secure method of locking away your firearm, because the thieves carry tools.
Have any of you had similar experiences with LA Fitness or other McGyms?
"Consumer alert" and "Channel __, on your side" stories are instant ratings grabbers. If there are police reports to back the claim of "every other night," I'd mention those to the station, too. Who knows, we might see you on TV soon.
I have been tempted to leave my wallet on the dash board for chum and hide in the bushes with my AK. But as we all know, hunting over bait is not really fair. We have to get them on their feeding trails.