Catching a thief redhanded

[delsdad]

The rules on cell phones have been relaxed over time. It is now allowable for CMs to have their phones on them as long as they are in their pocket and turned off or on silent. They must also stay in their pocket while on stage except in an emergency. Also, the rules on cell phones have never been as strict for management anyway.

IMO this was a legitimate use of their personal cell phone while on stage and will be overlooked by the powers that be.

I hope so. Here a couple weeks ago there were a number of transit workers threatened with dismissal for use of personal cell phones while in uniform. Even though they were on their proper breaks, they could not use the cells when in uniform. The policy even applied to emergency situations, as the vehicles all have radios to call dispatch for help. Sometimes those setting and enforcing policy fail to apply common sense !

[Gregor]

I think it’s a great story and a wonderful ending and all, but I find it a little scary that he fingered a guy on the dock with little evidence. He even said that it was 2-3 minutes since he used the app in his room and the time he got to the dock. He even said that he thought maybe the culprit had already left on another ferry. Yet, he wants to force this guy to allow them search his belongings. Heck, at one point he wanted to punch the guy first and ask questions later. What’s wrong with this picture? Guilty until proven innocent? Scary…

[BRWombat]

That is a great story. And the article comes with free music!

Thanks for the link.

[Big Wallaby]

I think it’s a great story and a wonderful ending and all, but I find it a little scary that he fingered a guy on the dock with little evidence. He even said that it was 2-3 minutes since he used the app in his room and the time he got to the dock. He even said that he thought maybe the culprit had already left on another ferry. Yet, he wants to force this guy to allow them search his belongings. Heck, at one point he wanted to punch the guy first and ask questions later. What’s wrong with this picture? Guilty until proven innocent? Scary…

Imagine yourself, having been violated like that. The accusation was a working theory, and it sounds like, had the writer been proven wrong, he would have dealt with that appropriately. I think all that was to communicate what was going through his mind, right or wrong. I appreciate the honesty in the piece.

Setting off the alarms on the phone was a gamble. Had it not been the right guy, it would have been apparent very quickly, and they would have been able to follow the right culprit around the park until they did narrow it down.

And if you want to accuse the author of profiling, fine. He looked around, saw two couples in their 70's with no bags, and decided it was not them. Also, why would a thief go out onto a dock with no intention of going anywhere.

Nah, I see someone following the most logical conclusions given the situation. And following the most logical conclusions paid off in this case.

[hobie16]

nah, i see someone following the most logical conclusions given the situation. And following the most logical conclusions paid off in this case.

+1

[Gregor]

Imagine yourself, having been violated like that. The accusation was a working theory, and it sounds like, had the writer been proven wrong, he would have dealt with that appropriately. I think all that was to communicate what was going through his mind, right or wrong. I appreciate the honesty in the piece.

Setting off the alarms on the phone was a gamble. Had it not been the right guy, it would have been apparent very quickly, and they would have been able to follow the right culprit around the park until they did narrow it down.

And if you want to accuse the author of profiling, fine. He looked around, saw two couples in their 70's with no bags, and decided it was not them. Also, why would a thief go out onto a dock with no intention of going anywhere.

Nah, I see someone following the most logical conclusions given the situation. And following the most logical conclusions paid off in this case.

Big Wallaby, I am imagining myself being violated like that. I’m often that lone 40-something on the dock (or platform or bus stop). Every year I go to WDW when my other half has a conference there. With my mornings and early afternoons free, I’m often that single dude all by himself. I think I would just feel terribly violated (and insulted) if some stranger in an agitated started to harass me and want to search through my personal belongings all on some shaky evidence (the 2 to 3 minutes is a long time for someone to have been there and left).
Granted, this story turned out perfect. This guy, as well as security, showed proper restraint until more current evidence could be gathered (the castmember’s phone app) to prove this was their guy. I guess it just scares me about what could have been since I see myself on the receiving end of it.

And why a thief would go to a dock? Who knows? Maybe he didn’t; maybe threw the bag of goods in the water and it drifted under the dock (hence the app showing that the phones were at the dock).

[hobie16]

And why a thief would go to a dock? Who knows? Maybe he didn’t; maybe threw the bag of goods in the water and it drifted under the dock (hence the app showing that the phones were at the dock).

That explains the guy on the dock with the back pack. Was it dripping wet?

[delsdad]

Big Wallaby, I am imagining myself being violated like that. I’m often that lone 40-something on the dock (or platform or bus stop). Every year I go to WDW when my other half has a conference there. With my mornings and early afternoons free, I’m often that single dude all by himself. I think I would just feel terribly violated (and insulted) if some stranger in an agitated started to harass me and want to search through my personal belongings all on some shaky evidence (the 2 to 3 minutes is a long time for someone to have been there and left).
Granted, this story turned out perfect. This guy, as well as security, showed proper restraint until more current evidence could be gathered (the castmember’s phone app) to prove this was their guy. I guess it just scares me about what could have been since I see myself on the receiving end of it.

And why a thief would go to a dock? Who knows? Maybe he didn’t; maybe threw the bag of goods in the water and it drifted under the dock (hence the app showing that the phones were at the dock).

I could fit that profile as well. And if they want to check the bag i'm carrying fine. I know that once they check mine and rule me out, they can move forward towards finding the correct suspect. After all, after getting off that boat, the next stop is bag check if I am headed into the park anyway.

As you said, both the victim and security showed proper restraint. That may have been quite difficult for the victim, as stated in the blog. But it is what security are trained to do, they have a procedure to follow, and they did exactly what they should. It allowed them to address the suspect in a way that would have sent him on his way without incident, if it had not been the correct person. The "wrong" suspect would have gone on his way with his dignity intact, and not been embarrassed in front of other guests or his family, with only a minutes delay. That might not have happened if WDW security were a bunch of power hungry thugs, posturing for their own gratification. We see that type all the time at concerts. Not the people I would want looking after my business !

Bravo to the security CMs. they did their thing, they did it well. And i'm sure this incident was not that unusual.

I'm glad they are there for us.

[delsdad]

And why a thief would go to a dock? Who knows? Maybe he didn’t; maybe threw the bag of goods in the water and it drifted under the dock (hence the app showing that the phones were at the dock).

Take the boat to MK, board monorail, transfer to Epcot monorail, leave in car. Or stop at poly and rip off more guest before getting in car at TTC.

It would seem to be an easy way to get to WL pool without going through the lobby. Maybe from MK he was going to take a boat to the GF and do some cell phone shopping there? So many ways he could fade into the crowd from that location.

[SnDMommy]

I think I would just feel terribly violated (and insulted) if some stranger in an agitated started to harass me and want to search through my personal belongings all on some shaky evidence (the 2 to 3 minutes is a long time for someone to have been there and left).

But the guy never did those things, so you're basically upset with him for admitting to having those *thoughts*? Can you honestly say if you were in that same situation that you wouldn't be having the same thoughts running through your head - especially given the fact that you would be in an agitated and adrenaline fueled state of mind??