Weekly lawlessness recap

It ain't just Russian king crab. More and more stuff seems to be fallin off of trucks lately, with government estimates ranging from $10 billion to $30 billion a year in cargo theft.

California was the top state for the crime in 2010 with 247, followed by Texas, 91; and Florida, 66. The bureau identified 747 cargo thefts nationwide worth $171 million.

Electronics topped on the list for type of item stolen, followed by “other” and food items.

All three commodities are relatively easy for criminals to sell after they are stolen with many of the goods being resold online, at flea markets, and overseas, the report said.
-Biz Journals

In Massachusetts, thieves took it step further and stole a "gigantic" chunk of railroad track.

A mayor in Columus, Georgia has formed a copper theft task force

Increasing lawlessness

As the rich continue to get richer at the expense of the rest of us, it is obvious that more and more people are indeed leaving their respect for law and order behind.
We've been hearing about thieves stealing copper wiring and other hardware from streetlights and other municipal infrastructure. Well, even that is beginning to escalate.
Last week, we learned about a truck driver who disappeared with $400,000 worth of Russian King Crab somewhere along the West Coast.
Over the past few months, flash mobs have been overwhelming retail outlets and public spaces all across the country.

In a number of cities, gatherings have grown unruly and led to vandalism or assaults — and worse. Police have described some as "mob thefts" in which people assemble outside retail and convenience stores, loot them and vanish before police arrive.
Police and social media gurus say these flash mobs usually are organized on Twitter, Facebook and through text messages, as are peaceful flash mobs. Police say some of the thefts, in particular, appear to have been coordinated in advance but that violence and vandalism at other gatherings may have been random.
Still, the real-time immediacy and apparent randomness of the incidents can combine to outwit conventional policing methods, according to law enforcement authorities.
"Traditionally, if folks are assembling or holding a protest, there are permits or processes in place for law enforcement to prepare and be on site in case things happen. But with flash mobs, there's no advance warning. Law enforcement might not have staff on hand," says Nancy Kolb of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
-NPR

Well, what can you expect when the government won't even tell us what laws they are enforcing? When leaders don't follow the law, they shouldn't be surprised when citizens don't either.