Baskets stolen from Ft Steilacoom!!!!!!

[DMAILMAN]

On Sunday, January 24th, overnight the thieves struck again. Our club spent over 1000.00 dollars in 2009 to replace stolen baskets. Its only January and the #@$%!!*&^% thieves stole three more baskets. Thats right! Three more baskets were taken over night.
We will begin pulling all baskets in the park today. The Southeast course will be the first course to be pulled today. Until we can get the county to help us secure the park at night, the baskets on the southeast course will remain in storage.
Our sincerest appologies to all of our honest park users who will be affected by this blight on the community. If you are the one who has taken one of the seven baskets stolen over the last 2 years, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.
A reward will be offered to anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for theft of our equipment.

Sincerely,

a golfer who cant golf at his home course anymore!

[DMAILMAN]

You can contact us at robd@discgolftacoma.com with any information regarding these thefts.

[The Ombudsman]

F@(#ers!!

[ericedge]

That really stinks Rob. I hope those responsible are caught. I'm sure there will be many local disc golfers watching out on Craig's list etc...

[Nathan]

Dangit. I love Steily. Sucks that people have to do that.

[JR Stengele]

That is weak. Hope you find those bastards!!!

[mazza]

OMFG.. u r fucking kidding me. again some one person( or 3 persons) have to go a ruin the whole fucking thing for everyone else.... i say we find them. shoot them.. and let god sort out the details

[Chad_from_BC]

that's terrible.

[olydiscgolf]

Its a constant battle!

[sillybizz]

I'll stand out there with a shotgun at night, that would make them think twice. :shooting:

[mazza]

i wounder if they are gonna pull every basket or just the s.e. course

[SPIDER-DAN]

You know mazza.........some are are simply alive cause it is against the law to kill em. Basically two kinds of people in the world: People that society can do without (which is everyone) and people that society is better off without (which is those dirtbags).

[DMAILMAN]

The sw was pulled today and the northwest will be pulled on tuesday..

[olydiscgolf]

Which baskets were taken?

[Rideout]

pro 3, pro 4, & pro 6

[KCrabtree]

That really blows. I just got here, & now have to travel else where to play.

[maynard]

That is terrible, sorry to hear it.

[DMAILMAN]

OK so here is whats going on at Steili right now. After the theft we made the decision to pull the southeast baskets today and the northwest baskets on saturday after doubles.

But after some soul searching and meeting with the board, it was decided to pull them all ASAP. So all baskets will be pulled by the end of the day Tuesday.

Out of the bad we have found some good though. An opprotunity to repair and secure our baskets will be undertaken. While the baskets are in storage, to teach the bad boys a lesson, we will weld the basket heads, baskets and collar sleeves to the pipe itself. This will prevent our little thieves from stealing any additional parts that they may require to complete thier personal golf course.

Second, we are contracting with Six Roblees to purchase 40 something case hardened barrel locks to be installed when we decide to put the baskets back in the park again.

Personally, it breaks my heart to have to close the park temporarily but let me put this in dollars and cents terms. Each basket costs about 350.00 delivered. takes about a half hour to assemble. Then you gotta dig the hole in the ground and secure the collar. Thats another hour. My time is worth around 30.00 per hour. ( I know, ime cheap labor) So any way thats about 400.00 per basket installed. Multiply times seven because that is how many have been stolen over the last 18 months.

So now we must order up 3 baskets and purchase the locks. Should total up around 2000.00. Say goodbye to the capital buget for improvements for 2010. That is what really sucks! What could you do to your course if you had an extra 2 grande. I hope the park closure shows the multitude of golfers at Ft Steilacoom how much of a good thing we have and now dont have.

To the thieves who stole our baskets: Sooner or later we will find you. Now that everybody is looking for the stolen baskets you will not be able to sell them. A reward has been issued for information that leads us to you. Once we find you, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Everyone will know that you are a thief. You will be exiled from the disc golf community. So I hope you get some good use of those baskets until we catch you.

Donations for new baskets and the reward fund can be given to Ray Seick or any of the board members. Once again, we apologize to our club members and all the casual golfers that call Ft Steilacoom home. This includes you Kyle. Hang in there man.

[Sky Pilot]

Sorry to hear about the theft.
This makes me wonder if it would be possible to buy insurance for a disc golf course. Has anybody ever heard of a company that would sell a reasonable policy?

Jeff Crum
Steward
SDGA

[DMAILMAN]

We currently carry insurance on the courses we have which are Steili and Riverside DGC. Our insurance covers liability for the players during club sanctioned events but not the contents of the course. This is a sketchy area because once the baskets are put in the ground technically they become the property of the county that the parks are located in. The county wont replace the equipment because our club pays land use agreement fees to operate on their property. So I dont think you can get insurance for items that are left in a county park for extended periods of time. I do believe that we can insure our portable baskets though because we take those with us when we are done at the end of the day. Great question!

[Toby Puttzinski]

Sorry to hear about this TDGPA... I was just saying the other day how I need to make it down to Steily more.

Pulling the baskets and taking the stance that the course will not be reinstalled until the stolen ones are returned may prove to be a good strategy... it should put (peer)pressure on the idiots that stole them--this worked up at Mossy Roc from what I was told-- the baskets were returned, along with some free stickers to boot.
Maybe the club could have a fund raising tourney to help offset the cost of replacing/securing the baskets. How helpful are the police trying to be in these instances? Video surveillance next?

[douglaselvis]

damn....

[LakeStevensBA]

I wonder if it's not other disc golfers, but maybe some tweeked out meth heads who plan to sell them for scrap. Might want to put the word out to the local scrap yards to keep an eye out for them as well.

Sorry to hear about this. That is BS.

[olydiscgolf]

I wonder if it's not other disc golfers, but maybe some tweeked out meth heads who plan to sell them for scrap. Might want to put the word out to the local scrap yards to keep an eye out for them as well.

Sorry to hear about this. That is BS.

Yards don't buy metal by the "basket", they buy it by the ton. There is ZERO metal value from a basket.

[mazza]

Yards don't buy metal buy the "basket", they buy it by the ton. There is ZERO metal value from a basket.

hey chris u guys got room for me at oly. i gota warm up for the ice bowl some where now

[Ol' Bob]

... we will weld the basket heads, baskets and collar sleeves to the pipe itself.

If it's not too late, let me suggest brazing the parts together. The zinc coatings make a great flux for the molten bronze to sweat into the joints. It would only take a little brazing to make disassembly impossible. The original zinc will stay in place to protect the steel and the bronze also will not rust. To weld the parts, the zinc will have to be ground away and the bead and ground portions will rust.

Anyone else wishing to secure parts together on your courses: this brazing process can be easily done in place with a portable oxy/acetylene outfit. No need to pull baskets to do it.

=============

Insurance for baskets? Figure the cost of replaced baskets plus profits for the greed industry. The mob would love for us to be paying for its protection. They'd probably steal them just to build the market.

[ChUcK]

Are you sure there isn't another way to come up with 3 baskets without instantly resorting to new from the factory? Maybe you can spend some time researching for used targets. There's plenty of people who own baskets, and they're not all just cheezy portables.

Besides, with all these welding/metalworking capabilities, is it possible to turn a portable Mach III into an identical permanent target? I'd hate to see all your cash being frittered away because of a couple bad-apple douchebags.

[Tim]

You don't often see people selling primo baskets though (at least, legitimately). Usually, if baskets are for sale, they're cheapies that people are trying to sell so they can buy a top notch one.

It would be super easy to turn a Mach III into a stationary target, you have to pay extra to make it portable, actually. But as far as replacing baskets more cheaply, I think the most viable option would be to have a Cool Shoez type guy to build ones from scratch. Or go the Oregon route and get the cheaper Mach II News and add extra chains.

[GettinBetter]

I know the guy at chainbangerz started making his own baskets. Maybe you could be a "tester" for them and a super cheap price to you.

[TREX]

Like Gilberts said "it's a constant battle". That is soo true. GL finding the Asshats that took them and I hope you guys can figure a way to keep this from recurring.

[sk8architecture]

Not sure how they are taking them but I can only think of two ways one being cut the lock which the solution has already been discussed. Second would be to cut the basket at the base. Could you potentially fill the hoolow portion of the pipe with concrete maybe throw in some lead to make it heavy and hard to cut??

[Getty]

Not sure how they are taking them but I can only think of two ways one being cut the lock which the solution has already been discussed. Second would be to cut the basket at the base. Could you potentially fill the hoolow portion of the pipe with concrete maybe throw in some lead to make it heavy and hard to cut??

On my old home course in Baton Rouge we fabricated steel sleeves that encased the pole all the way up to the basket. The baskets slip easily out of the sleeves if you want to move them around, but those sleeves aren't going anywhere. 22 years later all those baskets are still there. Sorry I can't find a better pic.

[KG_MCDGC]

After talking to them this weekend, I feel it needs to be said. Thank you! Thank you Rob and Mark, for not only making the tough decision to pull baskets, but mainly for putting yourselves in the position of being lightning-rods for the barrage of complaints and negative comments on your actions. I love to hear about you guys handling it with as much grace as you have. I would not wish the choice you guys were given on anyone. Inspiring stuff here...

[General Scales]

I would just hire Dion Arlyn to do your security. Then he could play night rounds and beat thieves with his Kempo mastery!!!

Seriously though, I would love to go out there at night and catch them. I wouldn't be so kind...:angry:

[Garrett]

This totally sucks. Yesterday was a nice day, I hollered at my boy to grab his discs and we headed down to the course only to find the place a barren waste land with no people and no baskets. I thought the end was here, that the apocalypse was upon us and looked to the sky for fire to rain down upon us.

I volunteer to place an order for at least one basket in the third or fourth week of March. Come March, someone hit me up reminding me to do this and where to have it shipped when I order it please (Email me from the contact info in my profile for this as I don't check in here everyday).

~Garrett

[olydiscgolf]

This totally sucks. Yesterday was a nice day, I hollered at my boy to grab his discs and we headed down to the course only to find the place a barren waste land with no people and no baskets. I thought the end was here, that the apocalypse was upon us and looked to the sky for fire to rain down upon us.

I volunteer to place an order for at least one basket in the third or fourth week of March. Come March, someone hit me up reminding me to do this and where to have it shipped when I order it please (Email me from the contact info in my profile for this as I don't check in here everyday).

~Garrett

Very cool! You should get in contact with Mark kilmer, Rob Dean, or Raymond Seick. They are the board members for the club and would greatly appreciate a basket donation.

It was decided to day to leave the course empty until metal sleeves can be fabricated to secure the locks better.

[r.gause]

that sucks. disc golf isnt sappose to be like this. fuckers making shit bad for us{well you guys who play there} i have never heard of any person who likes disc golf to steal. fucking fakes just buy a portable.

hope you find them and they have to pay for them and return them...and go to jail

[DMAILMAN]

This totally sucks. Yesterday was a nice day, I hollered at my boy to grab his discs and we headed down to the course only to find the place a barren waste land with no people and no baskets. I thought the end was here, that the apocalypse was upon us and looked to the sky for fire to rain down upon us.

I volunteer to place an order for at least one basket in the third or fourth week of March. Come March, someone hit me up reminding me to do this and where to have it shipped when I order it please (Email me from the contact info in my profile for this as I don't check in here everyday).

~Garrett

Am sending you a private message..
Rob

[Sky Pilot]

Hey west-siders,

I've thought a lot about what it would be like it we had 7 baskets stolen from one of our courses here in Spokane. I was wondering if all the baskets were bolt cut or just plain wrested out of the ground cement and all?
If they were bolt cut I've been thinking that the various basket companies need to re-configure their designs so that a thief only has one option, and that is dragging it out cement and all. Not many thieves are interested in working too hard.
We're putting in a redesign of the Downriver. I hope (God willing and weather permitting) that we have it done before the Downriver Open - April 10th & 11th.
We just got the green light from the Park Department today. Our board approved a welder and fellow disc golfer to design a way so that the locks cannot be bolt cut. There would be some kind of metal structure around the locks so that a thief couldn't get a bolt cutter on the lock.
Sounds like you guys are thinking about something similar. Hope it works out for you. I'd like to see a picture of what you come up with. I also hope that they find the ones who took your stuff and get your baskets back.
It' would be great to see some of you guys over here for the Downriver event in April.

In His Grip,

Sky Piot
President
SDGA

[olydiscgolf]

Hey west-siders,

I've thought a lot about what it would be like it we had 7 baskets stolen from one of our courses here in Spokane. I was wondering if all the baskets were bolt cut or just plain wrested out of the ground cement and all?
If they were bolt cut I've been thinking that the various basket companies need to re-configure their designs so that a thief only has one option, and that is dragging it out cement and all. Not many thieves are interested in working too hard.
We're putting in a redesign of the Downriver. I hope (God willing and weather permitting) that we have it done before the Downriver Open - April 10th & 11th.
We just got the green light from the Park Department today. Our board approved a welder and fellow disc golfer to design a way so that the locks cannot be bolt cut. There would be some kind of metal structure around the locks so that a thief couldn't get a bolt cutter on the lock.
Sounds like you guys are thinking about something similar. Hope it works out for you. I'd like to see a picture of what you come up with. I also hope that they find the ones who took your stuff and get your baskets back.
It' would be great to see some of you guys over here for the Downriver event in April.

In His Grip,

Sky Piot
President
SDGA

The solution that TDGPA came up with is a 12" long, 6" diameter pipe with a vertical cut out that is 1/2" wide by 2" long. The cut out is just big enough to get a padlock in.

[sillybizz]

When you finally get the baskets back could you make the course less confusing, my god.

[Ode]

please dont feed the troll by responding to that post

[GettinBetter]

it will be nice when the course is back up and running again, it makes me realize how awesome the course is when I can't play it. Chase if you need help with some stuff at the course I'm always available, I'll PM you my phone number.

[Chad_from_BC]

If you could have it back in by May 20th when I come down from Canada that'd be great. Serioulsly though, it sickens me that this happened. That some people would feel it's their right to take something that impacts the lives of so many. I've never been to stelli and I'm sad that it happened. I really hope that you guys can come up with a solution, it's just pathetic and depressing that you even have to.

[LJ Jubner]

just put out 18 targets tone poles whatever

[Ode]

they should be back before may 20th

[DMAILMAN]

So here is an update about our situation. We think we have solved the issue with the lock and tab protection problem, as well as securing chain and basket collars. It has been a great learning experience for us all.
Believe me when I tell you that closing this park has left a void in the community. So anyway, finalizing security protocols asap and then we wait for materials from venders to arrive. So it will be at least a couple weeks to re-opening the whole park.
I do want to thank Ryan DeRoche for kicking in 250.00 cash to put toward new locks and to an anonymous (to this point) doner of a new basket. A dozen people or so have come out and donated their time at the course with the upgrades.
One of the upgrades was to dig up all the collars. We decided to move all the chainstars onto the northwest course. So the NW will have all the same type of upgraded set ups. One course down. one course to go
Chris Chick has also been very busy with the bench upgrade project. He has completed his work and the park looks great! lots of seats for old weary bones.
We are not done yet though. I just wanted to acknowledge everybody's work so far.

[mazza]

is there a work party set up for a weekend or something. i sure there are alot of use that will come throw some dirt

[Ode]

there is always work to be done out there, and there doesnt need to be an organized party to get it done. theres a week left hopefully before the baskets come back and with this bad weather for the next few days, its looking like a good time to get some done. theres always fairways to be raked and limbs to be hauled away so feel free to help out whenever! we got alot done this weekend and hopefully the course will be back soonly

[DMAILMAN]

Amen brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Chad_from_BC]

Great to hear.

[pdduubb]

And then.... when is it done, finished, ready for a celebratory ribbon cutting ceremony etc?

[slinky]

glad to see the baskets back out this week...

[COV45]

With today's technology, isn't there a way to put a chip into or onto the baskets somehow? How many pets have chips used to relocate them, the same idea could be done for these baskets, you're more than likely not going to just recover a basket, but much more! I realize the cost, but in the long run it might be worth it.

[EWB46]

Is the course playable at this time? Looks like some baskets are out from the posts above. Making the trip from Spokane on Memorial weekend and was hoping to play a course while I was there.

[COV45]

YES - The course is open with new baskets in place, some new pin locations, but its ready!

[Sam]

FYI... Someone named Rickster Giron has made a claim on the NWDiscGolfNews.com Facebook page that he has information about the baskets stolen from here and is requesting a reward...

[LakeStevensBA]

FYI... Someone named Rickster Giron has made a claim on the NWDiscGolfNews.com Facebook page that he has information about the baskets stolen from here and is requesting a reward...

He also posted that information on the Lake Stevens page. I contacted him and gave him Mark Kilmer's number and they have talked. I don't believe the baskets he saw were stolen, so no reward for the Rickster....