can AirTag help me track down which no-good neighbor stole my roll-out trash can?

[beerseagulls]

my county require the use of their roll-out trash can. It costs $53. If it cracks, loses a wheel, or even get run over by your own car, the county will send someone to come out with a new one. However, they won't give you a new one if your existing one goes missing.

I've had two stolen from me in the middle of the night in the last 3 years. At $53 a pop, I had to shell out over $100 to replace them. I even painted my house number on ever side of the 2nd one, but that didn't deter the no-good neighbor or whoever stole it.

since AirTags 4-pack are on sale today($25 gift card), I ordered one. I was thinking about sticking one inside then trash can's handle. there's a small pop-out cover and the AirTag can be stuffed inside.

can this somehow help me track it down if it gets stolen again?

thanks!

 

[barbu]

Yes it most likely could.

 

[Nemic]

Yes I think this would work.

Providing the tag is within range of an iOS device it should show up on the map. Moving closer should then guide you right to it.

Beware of trespassing other’s property though. It may help to check with the local police to see if they would respond to retrieve your trash can once you locate it. Also maybe think of a way of proving your ownership of the trash can.

 

[beerseagulls]

Yes I think this would work.

Providing the tag is within range of an iOS device it should show up on the map. Moving closer should then guide you right to it.

Beware of trespassing other’s property though. It may help to check with the local police to see if they would respond to retrieve your trash can once you locate it. Also maybe think of a way of proving your ownership of the trash can.

my friend just sent me link to this stuff.... I think it will most likely deter anybody from stealing my trash can!

Prank Fake Bird Poop

Ruin your buddy’s day and freak him out like only a best bud can by covering his car with this prank fake bird poop. This realistic looking bird poop won’t damage or stain car paint or fabrics and will easily wash off with some water.

www.thisiswhyimbroke.com

 

[inscrewtable]

Make a design on it with coloured tape. OR, just consider getting one stolen every 18months as a 25c/week tax on the bin.

 

[elvisimprsntr]

I wouldn't put a $30 AirTag on the bin. You just gave the thieves another reason to steal your bin.

Vibra Peen your address somewhere on the bin only you know where and set up a surveillance camera. That should provide sufficient evidence for you and/or LE to take appropriate action.

Otherwise, add a special message or tape a used silhouette range target to the bin

 

[fischersd]

I WOULD use an airtag for this - inside the handle is perfect. Should work fine for what you're after. As others have stated involve the Police (and press charges). Maybe use permanent marker on the bottom of the bin with your info to further prove ownership.

 

[ericwn]

I think an AirTag may work in a lot of circumstances here, but make sure you document more identifiers of that bin like paint on the address etc so that when the time comes you can show pictures to the cops and then show up on site to claim your bin back.

If it does happen, please update this thread - best success!

 

[psxp]

I think this is a good use of the airtag!

Also, I know some municipalities use bar codes on the bins as well to identify them. They are scanned when emptied by the truck, therefore if you've notified them that one of your bins is missing, it may show up at some point at another address and they will know. These bar codes are actually more for managing the garbage pickups and statistics rather than theft prevention. Also, not sure what happens when bins dont have the bar codes attached.

Why more municipalities are putting radio-frequency tags on garbage bins | CBC News

Tiny tags are allowing Canadian municipalities to track residents' trash with increasing sophistication.

www.cbc.ca

 

[beerseagulls]

I think this is a good use of the airtag!

Also, I know some municipalities use bar codes on the bins as well to identify them. They are scanned when emptied by the truck, therefore if you've notified them that one of your bins is missing, it may show up at some point at another address and they will know. These bar codes are actually more for managing the garbage pickups and statistics rather than theft prevention. Also, not sure what happens when bins dont have the bar codes attached.

Why more municipalities are putting radio-frequency tags on garbage bins | CBC News

Tiny tags are allowing Canadian municipalities to track residents' trash with increasing sophistication.

www.cbc.ca

I'm gonna forward that to the sanitation dept of my city.. hopefully they'll like the idea.

Thanks1

 

[MBAir2010]

or ask a criminal
our local news is reporting a story on how criminals use airtags to track innocent schleps.

(watches story)

f'n news, the story was (not criminals, that was the worm word) but an x or stalker can place a tag...
why im i typing this?

enjoy your itags!

 

[ericwn]

or ask a criminal
our local news is reporting a story on how criminals use airtags to track innocent schleps.

(watches story)

f'n news, the story was (not criminals, that was the worm word) but an x or stalker can place a tag...
why im i typing this?

enjoy your itags!

What’s a worm word?

Criminals should get a notification on their iPhones just like anybody else who travels with someone’s AirTag, they’ll learn and get an iPhone.