Image Credit: WDSU / Infowars.com 
Police in New Orleans were criticized after they warned residents not to rig their vehicles with flash bang anti-theft devices as footage surfaced of a criminal being deterred while breaking into a vehicle.
The incident was caught last Friday by a nearby surveillance camera, and showed thieves drive up to a vehicle parked on the street before smashing the window and reaching inside.
Wild video: NOPD urges residents not to take matters into their own hands after video shows a man who rigged a flash bang in his truck to deter car burglars >> https://t.co/kw4E9OtRib pic.twitter.com/aS05UX6cY2
— wdsu (@wdsu) April 5, 2022
At that moment, however, a non-lethal deterrent system set up in the console of the vehicle triggered and a bright flash could be seen inside the vehicle, causing the thief to stumbled back and flee.
Speaking with KNOE, the man who rigged the device explained he opted to try the method in response to the high crime rate, and after personally having eight break-ins in recent months.
“To see him like gleefully walk up and just smash my eighth window in the past couple months and jump in and then you know to see the detonation go off and his reaction,” the man said, adding, “I don’t want this guy to die for what he did, but I don’t want him to just be able to smash and grab and run away.”
The vehicle owner explained he installed the incendiary device because there’s a lack of accountability for criminals in the justice system.
“He probably didn’t get hurt that bad, but it wasn’t pleasant and it might deter him and his friends and tell other people not to do this too because, without something like this, there is no consequence because they’re not going to get arrested,” the man said.
The attempted break-in of the man’s vehicle is emblematic of the wider crime problem facing New Orleans, reported KNOE.
“City-wide, New Orleans police data shows vehicle burglaries are up 28% over the same time last year. In the Central Business District, where this man lives, they’re up 116%.”
Despite the successful theft deterrence, New Orleans police released a statement saying it was a bad idea for citizens to fight back against crime in this manner.
“While we understand the frustrations our citizens have with crime, rigging an explosive device to detonate inside a vehicle is illegal and a bad idea.
“Not only is there a risk of injury to yourself and others, there could be serious legal ramifications for everyone involved.
“Please call your District station or Crimestoppers to report illegal activity.”
The police statement led social media users to accuse the department of victimizing the criminal in the situation, and of wanting residents to remain helpless and reliant on government authorities.
“Taking matters into your own hands” is code for “self reliant”. The system hates self reliant people more than the criminals themselves because they’re harder to manipulate through fear. At least the criminals serve a purpose for the system by spreading fear.
— Grumpy Gringo (@JerseyBoyInZona) April 6, 2022
When the law fails to put criminals away, citizens will find other ways to protect their property.
— George Alexopoulos (@GPrime85) April 6, 2022
Basically, the NOPD is mad that this man is doing their job better than they ever could.
— E. W. Martin (@ewm_the2nd) April 5, 2022
When seconds count, the police are there in minutes.
— DChristo (@JohnnySportcoat) April 5, 2022
Follow up question to the NOPD. Are you going to take carjacking and car robbery seriously OR continue to force residents to find ways to deter criminals?
— John Young (@jpysaints) April 5, 2022
NOPD urges residents not to break into other peoples cars (fixed it for you)
— M (@spacer99) April 6, 2022
NOPD urges residents not to break into other peoples cars (fixed it for you)
— M (@spacer99) April 6, 2022
The New Orleans Police Department did not immediately respond to Infowars’ request for comment.
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