At a recent book signing event I was asked, “Would it be
easier for the Ghost Burglar to operate today, given all the information
available on the internet and the sites where used items can be sold?” The
answer is "No, just the opposite." But, let me explain.
In the 1960s and 1970s, when Bernard Welch, the Ghost
Burglar, was active, there were no personal computers, smart phones, national
crime data base, security cameras or internet. Residential burglar alarm
systems were rare and only found in the homes of the wealthy. There were few
laws requiring identification for any transaction, and even credit cards
were unusual. Most people paid for everything in cash or by personal check from a local bank.
Personal communication was by mail through the US Postal system, or expensive, long distance telephone service. The national interstate highway system was just being
constructed.
In essence, at that
time, America was divided into regional areas, and most people didn't venture from their region. Within those regions, such as the Northeast, Middle Atlantic or Midwest, were numerous
local jurisdictions with their own police departments. These police departments
concentrated on local crime and there was infrequent communication among most
agencies. That was the status of crime fighting until the advent FBI’s National
Crime Information Center (NCIC) in 1967. The NCIC
was established to facilitate the flow of information among the numerous
branches of law enforcement, but it took many years to become truly effective.
The Ghost Burglar’s operation was based on regional
isolation. He stole in one region and sold in another, sometimes half a continent away.
Working alone and in secret, he used his common-law wife to front for him, so he
personally would never be connected to anything. When he bought anything, it was
always in cash. The only time he was vulnerable were the few minutes spent at
the scene of the crime. He literally was a ghost, a man who did not exist, and that made
him “invisible” as far as local police were concerned.
Could that happen again? No, not as he did it then. First, now there is the ubiquitous use of security cameras. It is almost impossible not to
be on camera in today’s world. Think of store, bank, ATM’s, speed, red light,
traffic and street security cameras. It is almost impossible to remain
anonymous today. Add in the internet services that show action clips around the
world within minutes of an incident and any regional activity can be beamed around the world practically in real time. That’s how the Boston Marathon Bombers
were identified so quickly.
As to selling things online, a seller has to post photos of
the items along with contact information. With victims monitoring such sites, I
am sure most would recognize their property. Such information would make the
investigator's life so much easier. An old police axiom is, “find the stolen
goods, find the thief.” Today, a computer literate investigator can discover
more information in an hour than in a day a generation ago.
The national security procedures implemented since 9/11 have
made the criminal’s life even more of a challenge. It is much more difficult
now to procure a valid driver’s license in each state. A valid, government issued,
photo identification is necessary for just about everything now, including
medical treatment and airline tickets.
Still worried about your house being broken into by a
professional thief? You should be more concerned with neighborhood kids
skipping school. Residential burglary is frequently a juvenile crime and easier
to deter by the use of standard locks and minimal alarm systems.
- James D. King
Still worried about your house being broken into by a
professional thief? You should be more concerned with neighborhood kids
skipping school. Residential burglary is frequently a juvenile crime and easier
to deter by the use of standard locks and minimal alarm systems.
James D. King
Given this man's ability to assume different identities, are you absolutely positive that the identity under which he was prosecuted was his true identity?
ReplyDeleteGiven this man's ability to assume different identities, are you absolutely positive that the identity under which he was prosecuted was his true identity?
ReplyDeleteHere is another interesting topic for your future articles - data room due diligence . How do you like it?
ReplyDeleteWell, very interesting. Our house was burglarized in 2013. Took a LOT of valuable stuff. Never found goods or offenders. Still happening.
ReplyDeleteHaving tried many casinos interesting sign up bonus casino my choice was this site
ReplyDeleteI?m impressed, I must say. Really rarely do I encounter a blog that?s both rare and entertaining, and let me tell you, you have hit the nail on the head. Your idea is outstanding; the issue is something that not enough people are speaking intelligently about. I am very happy that I stumbled across this in my search for something relating to this.
ReplyDeleteFile Rates of DHA Lahore