Deseret News | Thieves are targeting cameras

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Thieves are targeting cameras

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More information on equip. | 5:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

This story would be more useful if they would have disclosed the equipment models and names so we could all watch for it. The police should be investigating pawn shops all over the valley to locate and find this equipment for these people.

Theft is a most heinous crime and too little law enforcement actions to recover these goods. I have visited some pawn shops reselling items that are obviously stolen items because of the means they were obtained. Hastily cut wires, cables, and expensive type of equipment that are not commonly sold to pawn shops by owners when they know it is worth much more than a pawn shop will pay. An easy to sell market to other professionals is always the option professional equipment is resold.

Theft is worse than killing and should have the most severe punishment and police should take it more serious.

Photog | 5:45 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

As a sports photog myself, I'm always leary about those craigslist / classified ads for photography jobs that inquire about the type of equipment you own. I also started using a PO Box for my business address so nobody knows where my 'stash' is kept.
I guess from now on when shooting weddings at Temple Square, the photogs need to include the 'spectators' in a few shots.

Anonymous | 6:07 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

It's time to get rid of the panhandlers. There is one creepy guy that always stand at the intersection of South Temple and Main St.

I've contacted police when panhandlers hassle me and others. The SLPD won't do anything about people being harrassed. It's time SLPD stepped it up and start hauling these bums out.

Comments continue below

time for | 6:27 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

the sting operation. cameras all over the sl temple grounds and no one has a photo.

come on........ seriously...... come on.......

Scott | 6:37 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

A local news channel had a crew at 300 S. and 300 West several weeks ago, and their news camera was stolen from their van in the ten minutes they were gone. The theives drilled out the drivers door lock, then opened the hatchback and took the equipment. There is a police substation at 300 S and 400 West. They declined to come; simply assigned a case number.

UtahUt | 6:42 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I find it strange that with all the surveilance around the square that this problem has not been taken care of by now.The morman church has a responsibility to the members getting married at least to protect the precious memories in the photos from being stolen. How about cameras around the area or sting operations with bait cars? Many tracking devices are now available for equipment.

just paint a bullseye on you | 6:54 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

My thought was if these photographers are followed for 10 minutes to a restaurant or photo shop, whats to keep them from being followed to their home?

Then the thief can just bide his time. The break-in could happen tonight, tomorrow, next week....

Now for anyone with these cameras, it will be like constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. They'll never know if, when, where...,,,

Anonymous | 7:33 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

When I lived in Salt Lake City, I had more things stolen from me than anywhere I have ever lived before. You would not believe the situations. A for-sale-by-owner sign that someone cut the phone number off and put back up for themselves. A bench taken from the yard. A homemade wreath taken off the front door. Clothes from a temple. I observed other theft victims as well. I've lived in the Philly and DC areas, and SLC is by for the place where I saw sticky fingers. What is it?

turn the tables | 7:44 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Time to turn the tables on these guys.

Photographers, get your own team to tail those who are tailing you. dress them as happy members of wedding parties, give them simpler camaras that hundreds of family members will also be carrying. Have them get pictures, license plate numbers etc. of anybody casing you or your gear. Have them casually follow you when you drive off to see who else may be following you.

Surely, some SLPD cop would love sweeping in and using your evidence to nail these guys, maybe in the very act of breaking into cars. Or there's always a citizen's arrest...

If enough do this, the thieves won't know it they are the prey or the quarry.

anonymous | 8:10 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If you know your equipments is that expensive/valuable, take it with you...even if it's just 5 MINUTES! Trust no one!! Thieves don't care who you are or how you make a living.
What about the temple square? They have eyes for "trespassers", but not for the sake of their member's safety. And for the police...do your job well on the stake outs!!

JB | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I never had anything stolen from me when I lived in Salt Lake. On the other hand, living in Houston and, later, Dallas, I had things stolen out of my house and my garage. What is it?

Read for comprehension | 8:19 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If I understand it, these cameras aren't stolen from Temple Square. The thieves are following the photographers and stealing the equipment from them when they stop. It could be at home or some errrand stop along the way.
So the investigation is far more difficult than just watching the tape at Temple Square.
I agree; a sting is in order.

K | 8:33 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

To: "Turn the Tables":
Excellent ideas.
I think the police could learn something from you...if they would...

Ema | 8:39 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Almost everyone I know who lives in Salt Lake has had their car broken into. I had a friend who left her backpack on the seat of her car during the middle of the day downtown, and when she came back a window was broken and the backpack (with her camera and laptop inside) was gone. And this was during the middle of the day. I feel fortunate that it's never happened to me, but I'm careful to never leave anything valuable in my car. I have another friend who lives alone who's apartment was broken into and robbed while she was at work. This same friend had her coat stolen out of her car during the middle of the winter a few years ago. Anyway, this is a city, so we have to be careful. Don't leave things in your car and secure your home doors and windows. It stinks, but that's the way it is.

As far as these camera thefts go, the saddest part seems like the loss of the wedding photos. I can't imagine how that would feel as a bride.

Skippy | 8:54 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

This is not a kodak moment. We just need to be aware of our surroundings and our property at all times. Hope they catch the theives and robbers.

Sammy | 8:56 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

If you notice someone following you. Stop and Take their picture. Email it to the police.

Zoom in nice and tight. It won't take long to have a library of photos of the losers.

Anonymous | 9:03 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Seriously? I back up all my wedding photos "Just in case". Why would a serious photographer leave all her images on a lap top and not put them on a harddrive that you leave a home? Good grief!

Pathetic Criminals | 9:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

There is nothing I hate more than a thief. They rob hard working people with integrity. The thief has no concern for the trials and hardship they cause to good people. Thiefs are low life, bottom dwellers who can't make it in real life.

The SLC police need to STEP IT UP. If you know it has been a problem for several months....use your resources and FIX IT!

Anonymous | 9:11 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The moral of the story is, don't ever leave your camera in your car. My husband is a photographer and NEVER leaves his camera in his car. Even when you live in Utah you should.

LRA | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

My van got robbed in downtown Seattle and it was likely because my son stepped out into the parking lot with his $2,000-plus Cannon camcorder and made us a target.
It was broad daylight, but woke me up to the dangers of thieves watching.
Vehicle robberies are Seattle's No. 1 crime problem.
It showed me too that car alarms are the most over-rated of electronic devices -- they are worthless.
The Seattle police said it was amateurs who broke into my vehicle, despite the alarm. Imagine what professional thieves could do ....

Uncle Bob | 9:55 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I agree - I feel bad for her, but seriously? I back everything in triplicate. And if you have $20,000 in camera equipment, shouldn't you have business insurance that should cover that? That seems like a no-brainer.

it would be fun | 10:08 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

to run a sting. 7 days max and bingo!!! These are brazen theives who obviously have the proper equipment to break and enter. wouldn't take long to nail'em.

a little hard work is all

Hello | 10:10 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

just keep checking e-bay, craigslist and the pawn shops, you'll find all of this equipment.

reply: We're All Mormons | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

You are implying that anti's or jack mormons are the ones behind the crime at the SLC temple??? I don't get it? You have a very distorted veiw of your little world. Criminals come from all kinds of religions. I talked to a friend of mine who was very active and he would steal wallets, sun glasses, etc from his ward's coat rack while people were inside the chapel. He served a mission too. I agree, most Mormons or any good person, does have a conscience, even the anti's are basically good people. Your words do nothing but offend our good Mormon faith and those of differing faiths. Its not membership that keeps someone from stealing, its the person's belief in that faith and acts accordingly. Not all good standing Mormons are the saints you so wish them to be.

Anonymous | 10:43 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Why in the world if you FELT like you were being watched would you leave thousands of $ of gear in your car?

I take it all with me, I don't care how tired I am after a shoot.

Not only do you lose gear but you lose a client's images and that is unacceptable.

Agree | 10:55 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I thought turn the tables had an excellent idea!

O2bRich | 10:58 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

All you who critize the photographers, wedding attendees and church for not keeping a better eye on the equipment need to remember that most of the thefts happened away from temple square. The most pracrtical suggestion put forth here in this forum is from "turn the tables" who suggested having someone watch the photographer's backs to see who is following them. Surely the SLPD could manage to cover that.

Anonymous | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

All these people "had a feeling" they were being watched and still left the gear in their cars Why?

royalduckness | 11:09 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I stand all amazed at the lengths people will go to to blame the Mormon church for everything or anything. Amazing!!!!1 I'm sorry for the photographers and for their loss'es. I know when I worked weddings at the Temple that there were always family members taking pictures of the couple. Purhaps you could have the families check out their pictures for suspicious characters.

Tracking Device | 11:15 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Looks like there is a GREAT market for installing tracking devices (similar to the way a cell phone or car is tracked) in these high end cameras. Does anyone know anyone at Canon or Nikon who could pass this idea along--free of charge? :)

A simple tracking device like that could bust the thieves coffers and all their stolen merchandise... W-I-D-E O-P-E-N!!!

Abe | 11:36 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I had my truck broken in to at a home depot. I was parked right next to a video camera right out side the store I didn't relize that I had ben robbed until I got back to the job. I called the police after this told them what had ben taken thay gave me a case number. I told them about the camera out side the store. Thay didn't even go there and ask to see the tape and thay wouldn't let me see it eather.but along story short I found my stuff at the closest pawn shop to the home depot. The police didn't do any thing to investgate. I found out later from the dective that I called after I found my stuff that the guy that had stolen my stuff was let out of jail just 2 days after my stuff was stolen.

loveathome | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Seriously? $20,000?? She had to be counting the value of the lost photo files and software on the laptop. I am a studio owner and carry my equipment everywhere. It is INSURED! Rarely would I take that much ($20,000 of equipment) to a simple outdoor shoot as you would do on Temple Square. A complete wedding ceremony would be a different story but you don't have those at Temple Square do you? My heart goes out to this photographer for a very expensive lesson learned. Back up! Back up! Back up! And get insurance if you don't have it already! Especially if you are going to carry all the equipment you own with you to a shoot! (remember, she said she had to borrow a camera to continue working)

I find it deplorable | 12:00 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

that so many of you are so mean-spirited that you don't see the total unfairness in the hoarders of photographic equipment. Why is it that other people don't have the same right to some of this equipment as 'Miss Heidi'? Come on people, share a little of your largess! Think of how many families are going without the ability to share their precious memories with others. Have you priced a nice Nikon lately? I am in total support of one's right to memories. We need to be more sensitive.

Anonymous | 12:04 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

The real sad part of this story are all of the priceless images that are gone! BACK UP YOUR FILES!!!

I can't believe that a professional photographer wouldn't do that!!

Anonymous | 12:09 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

To the person saying the types of cameras should be posted:

Naming the type of camera would be USELESS because digital SLR cameras are so popular now. Many are being sold legitimately. Cops are not going to spend huge amounts of time trying to find get this gear. Photographers need to not leave their cameras in cars and insurance.

SLC gal | 12:25 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

My heart goes out to the bride and groom that got thier pics lifted. My favorite pics from my wedding day are the ones that were taken outside the temple.

Anonymous | 12:41 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

My heart goes out to the bride and bride, groom and groom that had their rights lifted. My favorite memories are the times I was able to spend with the one I loved.

Please Return, | 1:15 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I feel sorry for the Photographer , After spending a lot of $$$$$$ on something that she Cherishes and that is her life, to have it be stolen, I would have reported it to the Police, I hope the person that stole this would come forward and Make her day, and return the camera,The Bride & Groom will have no photos I feel bad for them, Maybe they will get lucky,

Thieves | 1:29 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

operate everywhere and car burglaries are epidemic. Often drug users out for quick, easy, and relatively safe ways to steal.

If there were no market for stolen goods, that would help. When people buy used expensive items, maybe it would be ethical to make sure the seller is the real owner. Often times, people buy from sellers that they can tell didn't come by the stuff honestly. There's a little bit of larcency in most of us, and wanting to get a "good deal" plays into it.

My husband, a retired photographer, recently sold a couple of his vintage camera on eBay--one went to Spain and the other to Hong Kong. The buyer of the one which went to Hong Kong actually asked us whether we had any pictures taken with that camera and we emailed him some color covers of magazines taken with the camera and our by-line.

The victim should check pawn shops,flea markets, eBay, Craig's List, and want ads in the paper--and keep checking with ALL the various police and sheriff's departments in Utah, Vegas, Idaho. They don't communicate with each other much.

Anonymous | 1:34 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

A few lessons learned:

1. Backup your information no matter if you're a photographer, a programmer, etc. Just back it up.
2. Don't leave any valuable things in your car. Including your children.
3. Insurance comes handy now. Insured all your valuables, not only your car.
4. Learn from others' experiences, don't be judgmental or a critic. You never know when something like this may happen to you because... we are not perfect!!

Speakers | 1:38 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I had my speakers and amp stolen from my Jeep back in '05.....once it's gone it's gone.....so just make sure you have an alarm on your car also.....

wannabe photographer | 1:41 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

I was recently at Temple Square to attend a wedding, not as a photographer, but as a family member. As I sat watching four photographers work I couldn't beleive the gold mine (CAMERAS) that they kept laying around! I sat there and thought how easy it would be to take one and no one would even notice. I feel bad for them and the couples who don't get there pictures, but maybe they should put someone in charge of watching there stuff. And leaving them in cars? That's just crazy! My kids always tease me that I value my camera more than them...that's not true, but I would never leave either one in a car.
And for backing up pictures, these guys had just finished shooting and obviously had not gone home or to an office tho do all their backing up.
As for a sting...sign me up!

Anonymous | 1:42 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Brides and grooms, if you see your photographer put their camera on the ground to be stolen, tell them to at least get the card out.

Re:Tracking Devise | 1:43 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Great idea. Even better would be a tracking devise that was so integrated into the camera that it could not be removed.

Pagan | 2:01 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Tragic. Really. No one should tarnish someone's wedding.

Oh, wait. I can't get married in Utah.

Anonymous | 3:04 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

This isn't about LDS weddings, it is about theft. So all you people condoning theft really need some mental help. Just because you can't get married doesn't mean it is ok to have people's gear stolen.

I shot LDS weddings and I am not LDS does that mean I deserve to get my camera stolen?

Some sad people out there.

1st Comment@5:42 | 3:28 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

"Theft is worse than killing." As awful as losing something to the goons can be I really question your statement. If by any chance we are neighbors and one of these low-life's asks you if I am home please tell them to steal my stuff. Please don't tell them to kill me instead!

Pagan | 3:28 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

'Just because you can't get married doesn't mean it is ok to have people's gear stolen.'

Not sure if that was directed at me but I'll answer.

I never said it was 'ok' to steal. It's not.

I just wish I had the chance to do the same thing. Marry. Not steal.

Whatever made you think that? Oh yeah, that's because you choose to judge others instead of doing something to resolve the problem.

To resolve stealing? Keep the camera's in a safe, secure place at all times. Chain it to something? Keep it in line of sight? Insure it and back up photo's on memory sticks.

As for my dilema? I vote.

Anonymous | 3:48 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

Read your previous statement again poster named "Pagan", you advocate theft just because you can't get married and laugh about it.

Now you are backtracking and back peddling faster than an NBA player in a fight.

You make people who can't legally get married look really bad and petty in this board, maybe you need to think about something before you type it.

Anonymous | 4:10 p.m. Oct. 30, 2009

You can keep the gays out but not thieves? What is going on here.

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