Theft

[Bill Babler]

We have people staying at our lodge from Texas and Oklahoma and they are all reporting theft of gas and personal belongs from Marina's and Private docks with lifts.

Lake Livingston in Texas and Grand Lake in Oklahoma have both been victims of this hianious spree.

Locking gas caps have not been the answer as boats are being drilled into the gas tank thru the fiberglass sides and into the either aluminum or soft plastic gas tanks and a hose inserted thru the boats fiberglass side, to drain the fuel.

Both departments of Public Safety in Oklahoma and Texas have advised boat owners to not leave boats in stalls or slips and to remove all contence from boat that are left unattnded over night.

One of our guest from Texas told Becky today there officer told them that if they left there boat in a lift full of gas and equipment, it would be considered an ATTRACTIVE NUCIENCE.

This is the same law that covers, if you own a swimming pool and it is not fenced and your neighbors kids drowns in it you are responsible. It is a law and a fact.

They are advising people to not leave their boats unattended. Any boat left for a period of 12 hrs. is classified as unattended.

Boat should not be left in marina stalls or private docks. That are not patrolled, locked or completely covered.

Any theft from unattended boat in lifts or private docks will not be investigated.

This pretty much says, if you are ------ enough to leave your boat on a lift or in a resort or marina dock, you will get what you are asking for, in spades.

Missouri has not gone to this yet, but the insurance company's are aware that it is your responsibility, not to leave your propery unattended.

Our guests have told us that it is almost impossible to make an insurance claim on stolen equipment from boats that are left in either docks or lifts in Texas. Jenny said you have to have a rider on your policy for your boat if it is not at your home in the garage.

This is just not a Table Rock or Lake of the Ozarks problem, it is nation wide.

Insurance companies and police are saying, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR BOATS UNATTENDED ON THE LAKE.

[Trav]

This is not new. I have had issues like this, mostly concerning equipment, for years. I even caught one guy trying to steal my dog! While she was barking in defense of the property! Nothing is sacred anymore.