Before you go stealing candy from babies, I had the same idea, BUT?
Don't you get your hands chopped off for stealing in Bahrain?
I think that is a much better deterrent than tagging or cameras and would
definitely work over here (UK).
You might not have much of a theft problem in Bahrain but I know where I
would rather live.
DaveS
For those that are interested as to why Bahrain has a low crime rate :-
Bahrain
Internal Security
The Bahraini national police force was believed by most sources to number
about 2,000 in 1992. In addition to the usual police functions, the mission
of the force is to prevent sectarian violence and terrorist actions.
Bahrain has a high proportion of native Shia, possibly 65 to 70 percent of
the population. Iran tried to fuel existing resentment over the inferior
place of Shia in the social and economic structure. The government sought
to moderate the socioreligious cleavage by appointing Shia to a number of
cabinet posts and senior civil service posts, although generally not in
security-related positions. A failed coup d'etat against the Al Khalifa in
1981 resulted in the expulsion or trial of many Shia dissidents; Iran had
armed and trained most of those convicted. A number of persons were
arrested in 1987 in another plot linked to Iran. In 1989 twenty-two persons
were sentenced to prison by the Supreme Court of Appeal, sitting as the
Security Court, for plotting to overthrow the government; no claim was made
of Iranian involvement.
Two clandestine political groups with ties to Iran are active in Bahrain.
The Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain, which was responsible for
the 1981 coup attempt, consists of militant Shia calling for violent
revolution. The Islamic Call Party, which also has ties to Iran, is more
moderate, calling for social and economic reforms. Two secular leftist
groups with ties to Arab regimes and Arab nationalist organizations are the
Popular Front for the Liberation of Bahrain and the National Front for the
Liberation of Bahrain. Their influence appeared to be on the decline as of
early 1993. The agencies of the Ministry of Interior, the police force, and
the Security and Intelligence Service (SIS) maintain strict control over
political activity. It is thought that their operations are extensive and
highly effective. Detention and arrest can result from actions construed as
antiregime activity, such as membership in illegal organizations,
antigovernment demonstrations, possession or circulation of antiregime
writings, or preaching sermons of a radical or extreme Islamist tone. The
Department of State reported some loosening of controls in 1991 over
actions previously regarded as subversive, reflecting the government's
assessment that domestic and foreign threats to its security had receded.
Under the State Security Act of 1974, persons can be detained for up to
three years, with a right of appeal after a period of three months and
thereafter every six months. Arrested persons tried in ordinary criminal
courts are provided the usual guarantees, such as public trials, the right
to counsel (including legal aid if needed), and the right of appeal.
Prisoners charged with security offenses are tried directly by the Supreme
Court of Appeal, sitting as the Security Court. The procedural guarantees
of the penal code do not apply: proceedings are in secret, and there is no
right of judicial appeal, although cases can be referred to the amir for
clemency.
According to Department of State human rights studies, there have been
credible reports that the SIS engages in torture and mistreatment of
detainees. Convictions in some cases have been based only on confessions
that allegedly have been extracted by torture. There were, however, no
confirmed cases of torture in 1991. The independent human rights group
Amnesty International claimed that as of 1992 about seventy political
prisoners, many with ties to banned Islamic groups, were serving sentences
after unfair trials. Between 220 and 270 people were held in Bahraini jails
in 1992. Of these, fewer than 100 were thought to be serving sentences for
security offenses.
----------
From: Paul Balles [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
Sent: 09 December 2000 07:19
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: RE: [cc] Keyboard, Video, Mouse, Audio
At 01:00 PM 12/08/2000 -0800, you wrote:
>Paul, what do you consider to be an area that is free of "lurking
thieves"?
Bahrain, where I'm located, for one. I've also been in shops in the US and
the UK where lots of valuable "collectibles" grace the places without being
nailed down, covered by cameras or other theft detecting devices.
In some of those places, the feeling of being "at home" would dissuade
property removal. After all, people who are made to feel at home don't
steal from their hosts.
>If you were familiar with our location you would understand the chuckle I
>got when reading it.
If I was in a location where I had to be constantly on guard, I'd cry
rather than chuckle.
>Our store is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It is on
>a very busy intersection in a good demographic area, less than a mile from
>some of the most expensive homes in Vancouver. Our store is located on the
>ground floor of an apartment building where the 'cheapest' unit sells for
>more than 300k. You really can't find many areas in a North American city
>that would be considered better, in this respect.
Better for what? For thieves who will walk off with anything they find not
tied down? That's worth a chuckle!
>I've spent many years, not only in the cybercafe business but in managing
>retail store programs and theft is always a concern, regardless of where
you
>are located.
How unfortunate!
>David mentioned security tags and sensors. We have those installed across
>our front doors, primarily to protect or software retail area. All they
>really do is cause thieves to open software packages and remove the jewel
>case, leaving the package and sensor tag behind. The people who do this on
a
>regular basis know how to get around these systems, and they all have weak
>points that can be easily exploited.
Perhaps you're playing into the thieves' hands by giving them a
challenge. I've had thousands of dollars worth of antique prints and
paintings along with loose CPU's, camcorders, bric-a-brac, plants and
flowers, a library full of books and magazines, etc. all over the place on
two floors and in five rooms that would be easy to pilfer from if I was
challenging thieves rather than hosting guests. My guests come from all
over the world: Arabia, Egypt, S.Africa, India, Pakistan, Philippines,
USA, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, S.America, and even Canada, to name a
few. If there's been a thief among them at home, they've restrained their
urges when visiting us.
>It would be great to live in a world were everyone is as honest as we view
>ourselves to be, but that is not reality - at least not in any of the
parts
>of the world that I've traveled through.
Those parts of the world could use some revision. Many people are crazy
enough to have businesses in New York city You'd have to be a lunatic to
want to be in business in a place where you've got to look over your
shoulder out of fear of muggers or carry a gun in case of a holdup. Yes,
Ron, I've been to the places you refer as well. But, as I said originally,
I just would not want to set up a business in those places.
>Although most people are generally honest, it only takes one or two to
>cost you big bucks and inconvenience
>your customers.
I suppose that the one or two like that would feel uncomfortable at my
parties.
<snip>
Paul B.
***The Idea Gallery***
P.O. Box 54565
Adliya, Bahrain
(973)714828 / fax: (973) 771847
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.ideagal.com
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