Author Topic: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord? (Read 3788 times)

mumzie · « **on:** April 04, 2005, 02:30:15 AM »

I keep reading posts on this board about "guess what I found on the rack?"...

Don't these folks realize it's STEALING to take balls off these racks? They're not there just so you can help yourselves.

When the settee gets crowded with bowling balls, I sometimes use the space on the rack to put down a ball I'm not quite ready to put away. Does that mean that you, in your selfish manner, think someone is "giving it away", and you can help yourselves?

?

Last I heard, the center OWNS those balls. Just like they own the shoes people rent. And if you take them, YOU'RE A THIEF!!!

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-- The way we see the problem is the problem.

charlest · « **Reply #16 on:** April 04, 2005, 11:19:53 PM »

quote:
Don't know about where most of you live, but the Penal Code in my State (Section 31.03 of the TPC) expressly states that A person commits an offense if he unlawfully appropriates with intent to deprive the owner of property. It goes on to state that Appropriation of property is unlawful if: (1) it is without the owner's effective consent

Effective consent includes consent by a person legally authorized to act for the owner.

And if you believe (or more importantly, the house could demonstrate) that the ball would have been worth $50, you just graduated to a Class B Misdemeanor charge. Now ask yourself whether it is worth the potential fine of $2000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or a combination of fine and confinement. Community supervision for up to two years is also an option available to the court.

Theft is theft people. Walking off with a ball maintained in the house racks is no different than if you decide to walk off with a giant Sponge-Bob have-a-ball league cardboard cutout.

Edited on 4/4/2005 4:04 PM

I beg your pardon?

A crime is a crime if you know you've committed a crime, the police know you know you've comitted a crime and they caught you knowing you know, they know you've committed a crime.

In other words, you've got to be kidding!
OR
Are you a cop trying to impress your superiors with how you can screw the common man/woman more than they've already been screwed?
Or
are you making sure the letter of the law is obeyed
while making sure the intent or spirit of the law is obfuscated as far as possible, so that only the politicians can insure they are "taken care of"?

Snap10 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 05, 2005, 05:23:59 PM »

No offense charlest, but did you ever hear the phrase, "ignorance of the law is no excuse"?

As far as the topic, I would say you should always ask the owner of any establishment before walking off with something you find on their property. Unless the owner of the item is known and offers it to you.

Author Topic: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord? (Read 3788 times)

mumzie

Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

charlest

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?

Snap10

Re: Why do people treat the ball rack at the local bowl as their own smorgasbord?