Motorbikes and crime

    So we have moved into a new place with both a roll-up door and a passage door next to it.
Last night my GF was worried that we did not bring the bike in the house.
It seems unlikely anyone would go to such lengths to steal her Motorbike.
Is she right or overly concerned?

She's right. When I bought my bike back in 2017, I was going to leave it parked outside in the hem my house was on. The woman I was seeing at the time told me, "Tomorrow your bike no look". Okay, understood.

Furthermore, while on the topic, are motorbikes often stolen?

Yes. Often.

What is the purpose of the attendant at even fairly small businesses to monitor their parking? Is it just to
keep parking order or to watch them as well?

Both, in addition to keeping any non-customers of the business from parking there.

When I asked my GF, her reply was pretty weak and any answer given might not be accurate due to the wide variety of ideas people can hold on any topic.
Also my confidence in her ability to be ration on this topic is dampened by her other quirky beliefs which I find common in a few other places I have lived.
For a fun example: fear seems to strike her when I simply file my fingernails. I was warmed it would result in heart problems. (really).
I guess every culture believes things that do not stand up to reality or the facts, though in my culture they are more based on social/political concepts than anything else.

The level of ignorance here, combined with superstition, is absolutely astounding.

I'd written this on another thread a couple of years back...

"Colin, I think these quackamimey beliefs start when some person with an ounce of authority or some old geezer (say around my age), proclaims something to be a truth and then, rather than be disrespectful of an elder's authority, all hands go along with the new knowledge which has been handed down from on high."

Take a look at post #19, here, and some of the posts following that for examples from members.

Crime in general- I get a general sense, that crime in this medium-sized city is not as common as one might expect in a major US city.

Most regions/countries/cities with an homogenous population are like that, I have found. Has me at times doubting that "diversity is our strength". That and the lack of firearms, the intolerance and heavy penalties for drugs related crime, fear of public shame and bringing same on one's family etc.

However, I am aware that if just one person in a thousand might seize the opportunity to grab my bag or phone, I should expect that sooner or later we will cross paths so I try to stay on guard.
    -@Dannyroc3

You'll be fine. Just keep your wits about you, and never leave anything you might wish to see again unattended.

    So we have moved into a new place with both a roll-up door and a passage door next to it.
Last night my GF was worried that we did not bring the bike in the house.
It seems unlikely anyone would go to such lengths to steal her Motorbike.
Is she right or overly concerned?
    -@Dannyroc3

Do what makes her feel safe.

It's not so much logic as it is feelings.

You've taken her away from a place where she knew what to expect into an unknown situation.

she's probably very uncomfortable in that new place and this is one of the few things that she can control.

Let her have it with a smile and a hug.

Motorbike theft is decently common. 2 guys pull up in a truck, load it up and its gone in less than 1 minute. If the head is locked they just pick it up. Dont leave it outside. Trust your GF on this. I do agree Vietnam is extremely safe but no reason to be Naive. Theft is still a thing. I gave my brother in law a nice watch after he helped with my wedding and like 2 weeks later someone just wandered in his house, took it and walked out. It was on the camera. They live in the country and leave the door open most days. Theres always someone home but maybe they were in the back yard.

There are numerous videos online of motorbike theft and also phone/bag snatching taken from security cameras that show how amazingly fast these crimes can occur and also the methods the thieves use to commit them.

@jrharvey Thanks for your comments.

The reason I feel she might be overreacting on the likelihood of theft is because the bike is parked inside of a gated carport-type area.

For someone to get to it they would need first to scale my direct neighbors gate ( Dont think the space over mine is big enough to fit through) and then they would scale our common wall (7ft) then they would need bolt cutters to cut the lock to get the bike through our passage door which is next to the roll-up. Door.

Seems like a lot of work. 

For now, I think we will park the bike close to the rollup so it is not visible.

And the next thing would be to get a little ramp so bringing the bike indoors is practical.

It's only one step so not a big project.

    @jrharvey Thanks for your comments.
The reason I feel she might be overreacting on the likelihood of theft is because the bike is parked inside of a gated carport-type area.
For someone to get to it they would need first to scale my direct neighbors gate ( Dont think the space over mine is big enough to fit through) and then they would scale our common wall (7ft) then they would need bolt cutters to cut the lock to get the bike through our passage door which is next to the roll-up. Door.
Seems like a lot of work. 

For now, I think we will park the bike close to the rollup so it is not visible.
And the next thing would be to get a little ramp so bringing the bike indoors is practical.

It's only one step so not a big project.
   

    -@Dannyroc3

please forgive me for saying so but I think you're being very hard-headed about what is essentially a simple request that will help make her feel more comfortable in her new place with you.

do whatever your logical mind demands, but it certainly not going to make her happier

@OceanBeach92107

And to heighten her concerns, she got word a friends bike was just stolen, though I didn't ask the circumstances.

Its up to her really, its not like I am against it. It just seemed unnecessary.

We just have to come up with a ramp.  She may "know a guy" who sells those in the market.

@Dannyroc3

Get the steel ramp. Bring the bike inside every night. Bring the ramp inside too.

Its up to her really, its not like I am against it. It just seemed unnecessary.

    -@Dannyroc3

In her mind, that means you are against it and not willing to help her feel safe

I recommend "Men Are From Mars And Women Are From Venus"

    @jrharvey Thanks for your comments.
The reason I feel she might be overreacting on the likelihood of theft is because the bike is parked inside of a gated carport-type area.
For someone to get to it they would need first to scale my direct neighbors gate ( Dont think the space over mine is big enough to fit through) and then they would scale our common wall (7ft) then they would need bolt cutters to cut the lock to get the bike through our passage door which is next to the roll-up. Door.
Seems like a lot of work. 

For now, I think we will park the bike close to the rollup so it is not visible.
And the next thing would be to get a little ramp so bringing the bike indoors is practical.

It's only one step so not a big project.
   

    -@Dannyroc3

Just to put things into perspective that same brother in law has a little yard with a big metal gate and several padlocks on it. Big chunky padlocks with steel the size of my pointer finger, not those small ones. My brother in law has 2 motercycles parked behind the gate. In his case his big padlocks have been cut in half twice now. They didnt steal the bikes. Unfortunately they were after the dogs.

Locked Honda Air Blade gone in 6 seconds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb2pVlcTmkw

Depends on where you live or the area your home is located at, as well as what type of bike, ALL locals I know would NEVER park their bikes outside like you described!

Besides risking having it stolen, do not forget the rodents. They can decide to build nests inside, but more common is to have your fuel tube or electric wiring chewed to shred.

When it comes to your gate and outdoor patio, my experience is, you can never have to much regarding fortification. As I always say, Vietnam is not a dangerous country, whether for locals or foreigners, but petty crimes are a rampant menace throughout the country. It's clearly much better in many places compared to 10 or 20 years ago, but the poverty is still very high and not a question of if but rather when any opportunity is taken. Climbing walls, sawing through locks, presents not much of a challenge or in deterring even small time burglars.

Best is to bolt steel sheets on the gate if you have a bar-type fence or gate, bolt them on from the inside with MANY bolts, use strong 1mm stainless or powder coated steel (easy to see if anyone tried to mess around), line the top with several spirals of nasty razor wire, attach e few small metal bells to make noise as a early warning system, install sensors with flood light, plus a few CCTV cameras, at least one so that it can be seen from outside behind the closed gate.

If you ever decide to go away for a few days or so, it could also help to keep some light turned on with the TV running so you can hear it from the outside.

Bottom line, just look around and you'll quickly see what locals consider "standard" and follow the trend.