Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Ben on December 19, 2020, 09:14:51 AM

Title: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 19, 2020, 09:14:51 AM
This guy sets up very sophisticated fake packages for Scroogey porch pirates to steal during the Christmas season. Kind of a long video, but it goes into how he builds the "bombs". A few thoughts from watching it all:

I understand why he only uses glitter and fart spray, but man, would I like to see some more "teachable" materials placed in these devices, considering some of the people that steal them.

Some of the thieves just laugh about the bomb and don't seem to learn anything (which is why I would like to see more teachable materials used). Instances like the mother and boy, where the boy who stole it says "stealing feels good" and the mom says "this is mine" make me wish there were more teachable materials used.

The last sequence of the device involves a 15 second countdown. Most of these idiots either just stand right there and listen to the countdown, or pick it up when it gets to "5" and then try and make it out of their house.

The video maker does say that the vast majority of people who pass the packages do not steal them, so there's that I guess.

https://youtu.be/h4T_LlK1VE4
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: 230RN on December 19, 2020, 11:04:08 AM
Can't blame the guy for only using harmess stuff, with our society sue-happy.  I have no doubt more effective "shrapnel" had occurred to him.  But:

"Know your target and what lies beyond, and avoid harming non-target species."
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Hawkmoon on December 19, 2020, 11:56:44 AM
I remember Glitterbomb v2.0. Impressive engineering.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Fly320s on December 19, 2020, 02:21:48 PM
He is doing this for his Youtube channel, not to make people stop stealing packages, obviously.

But...

He could easily ditch the cell phones and glitter and add something very sticky/smelly/permanent to be shot out of the box.  Maybe a dye marker like the banks use.  Or replace the fart spray with pepper spray.  Or aerosol super glue so the thieves glue themselves to anything they touch.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 19, 2020, 02:57:32 PM
He is doing this for his Youtube channel, not to make people stop stealing packages, obviously.

But...

He could easily ditch the cell phones and glitter and add something very sticky/smelly/permanent to be shot out of the box.  Maybe a dye marker like the banks use.  Or replace the fart spray with pepper spray.  Or aerosol super glue so the thieves glue themselves to anything they touch.

I agree on the channel.

Also, I reiterate I know the reasons he tries to be "harmless" with the prank. However, given the lowlifes that are recorded, there seems like there are a lot of happy mediums between totally harmless, annoying, and likely to get him sued.

Like something smellier as the gas, or if they make it, some kind of "sticky glitter" that would still work with his distribution method. Too many of the scum laughed at the glitter, which they probably vacuumed up in under 30 minutes. If it was something that couldn't be easily picked up, it might teach them more of a lesson.

I recall last year I think, one of the punks couldn't wait to get home, so opened it in his car. Even non-stick, I bet that to this day, he's finding glitter in his car.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: RocketMan on December 19, 2020, 03:38:36 PM
I agree on the channel.

Also, I reiterate I know the reasons he tries to be "harmless" with the prank. However, given the lowlifes that are recorded, there seems like there are a lot of happy mediums between totally harmless, annoying, and likely to get him sued.

Like something smellier as the gas, or if they make it, some kind of "sticky glitter" that would still work with his distribution method. Too many of the scum laughed at the glitter, which they probably vacuumed up in under 30 minutes. If it was something that couldn't be easily picked up, it might teach them more of a lesson.

I recall last year I think, one of the punks couldn't wait to get home, so opened it in his car. Even non-stick, I bet that to this day, he's finding glitter in his car.  :laugh:

"... likely to get him sued."   More likely get him charged with some sort of assault for building booby traps.  One of these days the popo are going to be knocking on his door.  Especially since many DAs and city attorneys are not charging low-lifes for minor crimes these days.  He'll be charged as a bad guy instead.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: griz on December 20, 2020, 05:41:01 PM
I like the idea of something that's at least hard to clean up.  Maybe some kind of glue and feathers?  Lots of messiness in a small volume.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: T.O.M. on December 20, 2020, 06:32:30 PM
"... likely to get him sued."   More likely get him charged with some sort of assault for building booby traps.  One of these days the popo are going to be knocking on his door.  Especially since many DAs and city attorneys are not charging low-lifes for minor crimes these days.  He'll be charged as a bad guy instead.

Maybe. And here's why I say this.  Prosecutors are elected,  so they are politicians.   I imagine that the majority of voters hate porch pirates.  Going to court against this guy in favor of a thief, especially if there are no injuries to the pirate, is not going to help in the next election.  Then again, in some locations, it might.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on December 20, 2020, 06:40:32 PM
I think the more likely lawsuit would be something involving defamation. Even if it gets thrown out (and I can't help but think it will) being sued in of itself is a nightmare.

Most of the thieves don't seem all that astute, but eventually it will hit someone who's just smart enough to go see a lawyer and not smart enough to realize that sueing someone the majority of people actually like and agree with is more damning than just stealing a package and being caught on video.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Fly320s on December 20, 2020, 07:04:55 PM
I think the more likely lawsuit would be something involving defamation. Even if it gets thrown out (and I can't help but think it will) being sued in of itself is a nightmare.

Most of the thieves don't seem all that astute, but eventually it will hit someone who's just smart enough to go see a lawyer and not smart enough to realize that sueing someone the majority of people actually like and agree with is more damning than just stealing a package and being caught on video.

This, plus career criminals sue everyone for everything because they can.  The one-off thieves will do their best to hide their shame, but eventually the odds catch up.

In the video that Mark Rober said, "Maybe they are just a group of buddies who love to cruise around together for a couple of hours and admire all sorts of different cars."   He knows what's up.  And he doesn't like it, same as us, but since he is a public figure making public videos he can't call a hood a hood.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 20, 2020, 07:44:18 PM
In the video that Mark Rober said, "Maybe they are just a group of buddies who love to cruise around together for a couple of hours and admire all sorts of different cars."   He knows what's up.  And he doesn't like it, same as us, but since he is a public figure making public videos he can't call a hood a hood.

Don't forget the likely gunshots during recording.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: bedlamite on December 13, 2021, 05:28:11 PM
And glitter bomb 4.0 is out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c584TGG7jQ
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 13, 2021, 05:50:05 PM
I know he has to be careful for legal reasons as to what he puts in there, but I sure wish he'd find something worse than glitter. Or some kind of stink spray that would take a month to dissipate.  :laugh:
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Brad Johnson on December 13, 2021, 05:59:37 PM
I know he has to be careful for legal reasons as to what he puts in there, but I sure wish he'd find something worse than glitter. Or some kind of stink spray that would take a month to dissipate.  :laugh:

Cadaverine.

Brad
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: BobR on December 13, 2021, 06:03:49 PM
Cadaverine.

Brad

Mercaptan, lots of mercaptan.

bob
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: bedlamite on December 13, 2021, 06:29:07 PM
Putrescine, Pyridine, Butyric acid
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: zxcvbob on December 13, 2021, 06:44:50 PM
Musk.  Like from a dog's ass glands, although some game animals might be even worse.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 13, 2021, 06:46:03 PM
Rereading the thread, regarding cops: In this latest video he said that next year the San Francisco police are going to work with him.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HankB on December 13, 2021, 06:59:41 PM
Many - perhaps most - states have laws that prohibit using a "mechanism" that will cause or is likely to cause serious injury or death.

So no nail bombs or sulfuric acid sprays unless you want to spend a decade or two at the Graybar Motel.

Glitter or fart spray seem pretty harmless to me. As does skunk scent . . .
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Fly320s on December 13, 2021, 07:01:40 PM
He needs to stop blurring the faces of the thieves.  Everyone should know who they are.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Bogie on December 13, 2021, 07:14:10 PM
Personally, I'd go with a pressurized can of ether, a few ounces of acetylene, and a sparker, sitting on top of a thinwall quart bottle of 87 octane. Then again, I'm an ahole.
 
Basically, the guy's videos are "IED 401" courses.
 
Don't leave it on YOUR front stoop. Pick an abandoned building. I'd worry that, even with just glitter, the thieves would return, and burn it... 
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: BlueStarLizzard on December 13, 2021, 08:43:43 PM
I know he has to be careful for legal reasons as to what he puts in there, but I sure wish he'd find something worse than glitter. Or some kind of stink spray that would take a month to dissipate.  :laugh:

He does use stink spray.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 13, 2021, 09:18:41 PM
He does use stink spray.

Yeah, but it looks pretty harmless and dissipates quickly. Half the crooks laugh about it. I want to see something that (literally) sticks around for a while.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: WLJ on December 13, 2021, 09:19:06 PM
He does use stink spray.

Judging from the videos it doesn't stink nearly enough
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: bedlamite on December 16, 2022, 06:52:07 PM
He says it's the last year, and there are drones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWeu2dxHRDg&ab_channel=MarkRober
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 16, 2022, 08:27:44 PM
I continue to like seeing thieves get punked, but also continue to wish that he did worse to them. I also continue to be disgusted by what the audio picks up the thieves saying. This year you've got a little kid saying "It's those *expletive deleted*ing youtubers" to his mom, and calling the boxes a scam. Because thieves getting a comeuppance is a "scam" as if they are the victims.

Ugh. The dregs of society.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HankB on December 17, 2022, 07:20:02 AM
I continue to like seeing thieves get punked, but also continue to wish that he did worse to them . . .
Since politicians basically identify with criminals, there are laws to protect the bad guys.

There are laws that prohibit "mechanisms" that are likely to cause death or serious bodily harm - and I understand that.

But if the box were spraying something more persistent like skunk screen and indelible dye rather than fart spray and glitter, I'd be OK with that.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HeroHog on December 17, 2022, 09:10:41 AM
That urine concentrate that hunters use to mask their scent would be a good substitute.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Fly320s on December 17, 2022, 11:49:08 AM
I continue to like seeing thieves get punked, but also continue to wish that he did worse to them. I also continue to be disgusted by what the audio picks up the thieves saying. This year you've got a little kid saying "It's those *expletive deleted*ing youtubers" to his mom, and calling the boxes a scam. Because thieves getting a comeuppance is a "scam" as if they are the victims.

Ugh. The dregs of society.

To modify Shakespear's quote, "First, kill all of the thieves."
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HeroHog on December 17, 2022, 11:54:45 AM
Lawyers, thieves, what's the difference?
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HankB on December 17, 2022, 12:00:44 PM
Lawyers, thieves, what's the difference?
Despite the old proverb, perhaps there's actually more honor among thieves?
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: bedlamite on December 17, 2022, 12:03:07 PM
Lawyers, thieves, what's the difference?

The line is "killers, thieves, and lawyers"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5X4N2exOsU
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: kgbsquirrel on December 17, 2022, 01:21:56 PM
I continue to like seeing thieves get punked, but also continue to wish that he did worse to them. I also continue to be disgusted by what the audio picks up the thieves saying. This year you've got a little kid saying "It's those *expletive deleted*ing youtubers" to his mom, and calling the boxes a scam. Because thieves getting a comeuppance is a "scam" as if they are the victims.

Ugh. The dregs of society.

The lynchpin measure seems appropriate.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Ben on December 17, 2022, 01:38:51 PM
The lynchpin measure seems appropriate.

I learned a new history factoid. Thanks.  =)
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: kgbsquirrel on December 17, 2022, 03:25:29 PM
I learned a new history factoid. Thanks.  =)

Sometimes I feel like the Johnny Appleseed of trivia.  Just sprinkling seeds of information here and there.  =D
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: Bogie on December 17, 2022, 04:02:20 PM
Around here, they'd come back, shoot up my house, and then burn it.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: kgbsquirrel on December 17, 2022, 04:20:00 PM
Around here, they'd come back, shoot up my house, and then burn it.

That is certainly one of the points I was obliquely making.
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: HankB on December 19, 2022, 07:28:17 AM
Around here, they'd come back, shoot up my house, and then burn it.
Place the glitter bomb on the porch of a neighbor you don't like - problem solved.  (Two problems solved, actually.   >:D   )
Title: Re: Annual Christmas Porch Pirate Prank
Post by: WLJ on December 22, 2022, 08:30:38 AM
Guy rigged up a 12ga blank to go off by trip wire.

Porch Pirate meets 12 gauge - needs new underwear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tApGO4Kqq88