I don't think it was a "vicious stunt." It was a prank.

We had our American flag stolen four times. Who would steal an American flag ... a really patriotic person, or an unpatriotic person?

We never knew who stole the first three, but while walking our dog one afternoon, we did find the fourth flag a neighbor's porch five houses down the street. We knew it was ours because of a special tape-marking we put on it. 

If it isn't chained down, you will probably lose it. If you can't afford to loose it, monetarily or emotionally ... don't put it outside.

I think we have enough evidence to say that it would be unsurprising to find out that a student did it.  There are a ton of students in that neighborhood, and they tend to get drunk and silly on Halloween.  It can be tough having kids and living in a student neighborhood.

I have another theory on who the culprit of heinous crime might be.  Perhaps it was a good, politically conscious person who is upset with your purchase of the skeleton from Target, a company that has provided financial backing to the gay-bashing monster Tom Emmer.

Old campaign signs make great kid art canvas material when covered in white paint. Hazey and I are gonna try a collage this winter.

Yet another theory: maybe the theft was done by a person who is the victim of Tim Pawlenty's irresponsible economic policies and could no longer afford yard skeletons for their family to enjoy.  Where is your compassion, C?

Hurray! Another chance to come on and say something witty and contrary to see if I can get a rise out of someone!

Shut up, sparhawk.

I can't believe you leapt to the assumption that students did it.  The "rightly or wrongly" is no cover for a suspect presumption.  

I had a plastic skeleton hanging outside my apartment on 20th and Jefferson, a neighborhood crammed with students, many of whom use my yard as a shortcut to the Reef, for two years (yes, I am lethargic and lazy) without incident or loss).  

I lament both your loss and your inability to look beyond insular presumptions.  Students are, surprisingly, a lot like everyone else.

PS: I will match and double Danny's reward offer.

It not only takes time to make a skeleton by stripping away all the flesh, but killing someone just so you can have a decoration is a pretty serious prank.

In my earlier comment I didn't mean to imply that I think it's okay to steal (skeletons, pedal cars, yard signs, etc.). Simply pointing out that some people will feel they can get away with taking things left outside at night. It's an unhappy part of what we've been dealt as people living in a large-scale, often anonymous, unequal society. 

I was simply agreeing with "Hillsider Newspaper editor's" comment:
"If it isn't chained down, you will probably lose it. If you can't afford to loose it, monetarily or emotionally ... don't put it outside."

If we'd stayed in the economic system of nomadic foraging, we wouldn't have stuff to get stolen, so (like Jared Diamond of Guns, Germs and Steel fame) we can blame it on the invention of agriculture!

I do agree with that, Claire.  And I think it starts with parents.  Your daughter's never going to steal something from someone's yard (not that she would have anyway), because you're an engaged parent.  I had parents who were involved in my life, and whether I was 8 or 18, I wouldn't have done that either.  If we teach our kids that sense of community, then when they become young adults, the instances of disrespect that range from skeleton-stealing to drunk-B&E will go away.  

High school students, college students, random anybodies--it doesn't matter who they are.  If they weren't taught the appropriate way to behave as part of a community, they won't understand.  That's how we fix it, I think.  We get involved, and we show our children and the children we come into contact with the way to behave in community.

I think it's obvious that you and your daughter have learned some valuable life lessons. Although you both desperately wish to be part of a community, it's clear that the people living around you can't be trusted. Whomever committed this crime against your family could be ANYONE you know... maybe even a dear friend. You have no choice but to regard everyone with suspicion and contempt, and if you suspect someone might have their greedy little eyeballs on your upcoming Christmas yard trash, I'd get them before they get you.

Duncan, I'm so glad I don't see the world through your eyes.

Zacaroo -- I did not mean this to be a UMD-bashing thread. I know a lot of cool students and former students. My student neighbors on my block are cool. Hell, Mr. Claire is a college prof, so students are putting food in my child's mouth. 

I just have a problem with assholes, who think it's OK to steal holiday decorations from someone's house. The **theft** happened on a Saturday night. 19th Avenue East is a main route for students walking between campus and various parties. Natural for me to assume it was a group of drunk-off-their-ass frat-boy-types who would also think it's funny to hold up offensive signs on the streets leading up to UMD when parents are dropping off first-years at the end of summer.

I assure you, I don't suspect my neighbors of this crime -- I know who they are and they know a kid lives in our house and most probably was the creative force behind our Halloween display.

This is totally off topic as far as the theft is concerned but, I noticed the OP mention putting up strobe lights outside and I'd like to caution her and anyone else against doing so. 

Strobe lights have the potential to trigger seizures in people with epilepsy and other seizure disorders. 

http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/about/photosensitivity/

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/06/mias-new-websit/

I understand what you are going through Claire, someone stole one of my daughter's riding toys in our yard a few months back. 

Who really knows who took it, but it is still a crime whether it is a "prank" or someone who actually wanted it.

Ian, you really don't get it, don't you? Stealing a kid's holiday decoration has nothing to do with monetary value, it has to do with the fact that I think people should be able to put up holiday decorations and not have to worry that some asshole is going to run off with part of it, because they think it's "funny" or whatever. Stealing a skeleton or one of Three Kings (as happened to my friend on the other side of UMD from me) or smashing pumpkins or some such antisocial "prank" is a lot different than stealing someone's bike or their moped. It's still theft, but it's also tearing at the fabric of a community. Do you really want to live in a place where people have to lock up or chain down their holiday decorations? How sad. Your attitude towards life is pretty damn depressing.

Claire - I just accept things the way they are/as I see them.  I wouldn't call that depressing.  People in general are inherently as dumb as a bag of hair, just add some booze and a couple buddies, then things get out of hand and stuff gets trashed/stolen.

After reading all of this, I can't help thinking your daughter is probably so over this. Your the one obsessing! Next time put a cable lock on your outside things. Unfortunately this is the world we live in today. Get over it.