This is topic Subwoofer theft! in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=000017
Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 05-30-1999, 01:44 AM:
HELP! At my theatre in Denver - a 16 plex - we have had, to date, nine
subwoofers stolen. Sometimes the theif takes the whole box, sometimes just the
cones. The management and the police are pretty clueless, but we seem to agree
that it is most likely an inside job. Personally I suspect the janitors are at least
partially responsible, but I can't prove anything. I personally check all doors and
subs before I leave every night, but I feel very helpless. The company is not willing
to spend any money to prevent any future robberies, so I am hoping that someone
in this forum has some advice about what I can do about this. Any ideas are
welcome. I am desperate to keep from losing any more subs, especially with all
the big summer movies coming up. I believe our theatre is the best in town, but
without subs, it'll be hard to hold that honor. Thanx in advance, guys!
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 05-30-1999, 01:45 AM:
Trade your subwoofers in for Altec Voice of the Theatre loudspeakers! I
guarantee you that no one could possibly carry A-7s or A-4s out the door in the
middle of the night. *grin*
Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 05-30-1999, 01:45 AM:
Maybe you could engrave some ID numbers (phone, name etc) on the frames of
the subs. How about putting "property of..." across the cone (visable side) it might
make the theives (and their buyers) think twice about having them in their
possesion. If they ever get busted (for something else)you might get them back. If
your plex has only a few doors you could get some security cameras (hidden) to
watch the suspect route. Maybe dummy cameras would do the job. If you use the
hidden camera idea you'd have to keep it secret from ALL of your employees.
Maybe you could put up the dummy cameras and then watch them with the
hidden cameras to see who disables them. Or (I like this one the best since I
absolutely loath theives) wire about 440 volts ac to the frame of the subwoofer
with a metal plate on the floor so the theif can complete the circut. Poof!
Posted by Brad Miller on 05-30-1999, 01:46 AM:
How about getting a HUGE piece of plywood (I'm talking 4'x8' and 3/4 inch
thick) and literally bolt the subwoofer cabinets down to it from the inside? For
someone to steal them, they would have to completely disassemble the driver and
unbolt the cabinets from the board. Unfortunately, that won't save your drivers from being stolen. I like Greg's voltage
idea for that.
Posted by Frank Manrique on 05-30-1999, 01:51 AM:
Erika,
Just how small are the subs thieves keep on stealing? Two of our main subs-for
right and left channels weight over 300 Lbs. and look like coffins (and about as
large). I'd like to see a thief get away with that! Anyway, the subs should be bolted down somehow. All bass drivers should have
all mounting bolts replaced and Locktite'd. All bass drivers should have their
cones, as already sugested, painted with perhaps your theater's logo and/or an ID
number of sorts.
The idea of security cameras is a good one and it should be implemented,
particularly if "in house" theft is suspected (by the janitorial crew members you
mentioned).
As far as other places within your theater go, well I can't comments since I have
no idea where or what it is. Good luck
Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 05-30-1999, 01:56 AM:
Hey guys, thanks for all your ideas on how to protect my subs. Unfortunately, as I
said, the theatre company refuses to spend any money, so security cameras are
out. Personally, I'd like to wait behind the screen with a shotgun 
As far as
bolting them down, is there a way to do so that would keep them from taking the
cones too, because they sometimes take the whole thing, but sometimes just the
cone.
Posted by Joe Redifer (Member # 3) on 05-30-1999, 01:57 AM:
I like painting the logo on each and every cone. Good idea. While it does not
gaurantee they won't be stolen, it makes it less likely. One problem is that the area
behind the screen is dark and they may not see the "emblem". But if they steal 1
cone then they probably won't try again. But the idea is not to have ANY of them
stolen. Maybe try hanging the subs from the ceiling The voltage idea is the best I have heard, though. Although it may not be legal!
Neither is stealing subs, so 2 wrongs make a right!
Posted by Brad Miller on 05-30-1999, 01:57 AM:
This one probably isn't legal either...but a friend suggested this and I kinda liked it! Get a bunch of razor blades! Super glue them around the edges of the sub boxes.
Anyone trying to steal them won't be able to get a good grip on the box without
slicing the crap out of themselves. Also, with it being dark, will probably cut them
before they even get the first screw out. Then just look around for scars!
I agree with Joe...two wrongs make a right. ha ha
Posted by Gordon McLeod (Member # 33) on 06-05-1999, 01:50 PM:
:-)
HOW TO STOP A WOOFER THEIF
1 Put a Brass plate on the floor around speaker
2 Put a brass plate on the speaker
3 Connect an IREM 10KW Ignitor to opposite plates and connect the ac feed to a photswitch activated by the presence of the intruder
4 Mount a giant PTR roller to an arm to come down and clean up the mess:-)
On a reality side there is what is called tamperproof hardware that are screws with wierd heads that an ordenary person can't get at the hardware store I believe Granger carries some and replace the screws holding the drivers in place with them and then chain and lock the cabinets down
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 06-05-1999, 03:49 PM:
There's only one small tiny problem with your plan. No matter how giant the PTR roller is, it still won't pick up anything!Seriously though, that tamperproof hardware idea hadn't crossed my mind. Just bolt the cabinets down from the inside and use the tamperproof screws to mount the driver. Excellent idea!
Posted by Greg Mueller (Member # 17) on 06-22-2000, 07:23 PM:
Just wondering if you ever caught the thief?------------------
Amateur Astronomer, Machinist, Filmnut
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 06-23-2000, 12:18 AM:
I say coat all the tops of the speaker with silver nitrate solution. Coat all the surfaces you have to touch to get at the speakers too.AgNO3 reacts with the salt in your skin and leaves a dark stain that's pretty much indellible. The bastard that's doing this will be nabbed in no time.
If you want, you can also buy "thief powder" which leaves a magenta stain. Problem is it gets MESSY. However, you CAN say that you caught him red-handed! 
Posted by Tim Reed (Member # 137) on 06-23-2000, 08:59 AM:
This is why I don't like putting subs on the floor.>>the theatre company refuses to spend any money, so security cameras are
out. <<
Well, looks like they'll either pay for cameras or they'll pay for subwoofers, it's their call. Pay now or pay later.
I wouldn't worry about it, particularly if THEY'RE not. Let 'em lose them ALL, if that's their attitude.
------------------
Better Projection Pays!
Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 06-23-2000, 09:26 AM:
Two other thoughts occurred to me. This time, serious...1) Think about the "He doth protest too much" theory: If a particular person is hesitant to put in cameras, could it be possible that he is somehow involved? You've also gotta' consider that many companies secure what they can and insure for what they can't. Maybe the bosses figured that it's cheaper to take the insurance route. (Until the insurance company stops paying the claims)
2) Think about the patterns involved:
What times/places do events occur?
Connections between things that get stolen?
People that seem to "know" about things like this but shouldn't have access to this kind of information.
In other words..
Does it always happen when a certain guy works?
Does he (or his friends) always seem to know the gossip?
Could the culprit be trying to steal himself a complete set?
If you think about things, you MIGHT be able to predict when he'll strike next and be ready for him.
Posted by Kevin Crawford (Member # 469) on 06-23-2000, 12:06 PM:
The best bang for the buck is the theft proof screws. We started using them after the second sub was stolen. We have never had the cabinets stolen though. I would say that if they have the balls to carry a cabinet out the door, that it is definately someone that works there. If you are that upset about it you could spend the night up in the booth and watch through the port glass. When you see someone taking the speaker out, call the police on a cell phone. While they are loading it up in their truck, the cops catch them. See if you can't get news coverage of it. I will guarantee that if you make an example of them , odds are that all theft at your theatre will stop.
Or you could just shoot them. Although I do like the electrocution idea.
By the way, what type of subs are they, and when will they be unguarded?
Posted by Stefan Scholz (Member # 147) on 06-23-2000, 12:51 PM:
Truly liked the electrocution idea, but honestly, when working in the slot - machine service, we had alarms to keep off intruders. One time an intruder got a heart attack, and the company lost a lawsuit afterwards. I was illegal to shreak out the bad guy, so I think it will be totally illegal to use leathal electricity.
The best way would be a set of tamperproof screws to replace the cone's mounting screws. There are lots of types around, to replace your standard flat head screws. I tended to use Safety Torx screws on my setups, but as with any measure like this, do not tell anybody, as they might then bring the corresponding tools. Tri-Wing is pretty cool, as it will be very hard to remove without owning a cooresponding driver.
If the cabinet is also bolted, it will be quite a job for an unprepared thief.
Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 06-23-2000, 05:15 PM:
This used to happen allot in Chicago. Everything from Surround Speakers to Complete Amp Racks to Woofers. Never a horn or HF driver. It was always an inside job, and in all but one the thieves(ushers) were caught.
They always ended up making them into subwoofers for their cars and someone from the theater would always turn them in. Thats why they never took the horn or driver. Can't be used in a car.
Use theft proof screws on everything from woofers to amp racks. They work good. Even replacing screws with Allen type screws will slow things down so much that they will finally stop disappearing. The sheet of plywood idea is a good one too if things get desperate.
A measure that will work good is to install a see in the dark TV camera and time lapse recorder in behind the screen and tape them stealing stuff. A customer in Wisconsin used that method years several years ago and caught an HVAC guy taking stuff from the booth. They went to his home and discovered a huge theft ring going on!! Hope this doesn't happen to any of you.
Finally, Check behind your screens every night before lockup. Carry a can of Pepper Spray with you though in case you surprise someone.
Mark
Posted by Erika Hellgren (Member # 22) on 06-23-2000, 05:59 PM:
Wow, how nostaglic. This was my first post ever on the forum! *sigh*Anyway, we seem to have solved the problem. Surprisingly enough, the company actually bought more subs to replace the stolen ones, and one of our techs went around and bolted all the subs to each other and to the ground (I think). He also rounded out the screws on the front of the woofers thewselves, and put grills on the front to prevent vandalizing. Many attempts to steal them were made after this endeavor, but only one managed to get stolen. I guess the theives found a way to pry that one out, but cannot get any others. My guess is that they have now given up entirely on our threatre and moved on to another one.
Posted by Dave Williams (Member # 299) on 06-26-2000, 08:41 PM:
Erika, I think they moved to the one I was tearing down. In fact, we were raided and robbed just this last friday. Freakin low life jackbooted thugs!Dave
------------------
"If it's not worth doing, I have allready been there and done it"