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This weekend, some neighbors in Beverly Hills called in the cops and broke out the video camera to tell the tale of the thieves who helped themselves to items from their outdoor Christmas displays. Expressing dismay at the theft of things from $1000-elves, the Baby Jesus in his humble manger, and a wreath, the real 90210-ers were horrified that they would now have to chain down their lit-up snowmen and reindeer, and hoped that the public knew about their plight. LAist photographer Tom Andrews took a trip to the home of Peter and Shera Falk, whose pricey decorations were swiped. Is their holiday display less than it could--and should--be?
Of course, it's not really the theft that is disturbing (put nice stuff out and you run the risk of it being swiped, no matter your zip code, that's just how it is, frankly) but that the Falks and others would want to make a very public issue about it. It's hard to ascertain if they are hoping to let others know that some guys have a very un-Christian approach to Christmas, or if they expect sympathy for their loss. Theft of anyone's property is not right, but at a time when most people are living paycheck to paycheck, do we really need to hear about wealthy people losing lawn ornaments when many people are losing jobs?
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I was just announced that Mr. Falk has Alzheimer's...I think it's okay to turn off the Grinchiness for one day, Hyphenated Author.
gonzoworm, I'm not really sure what Mr Falk's illness has to do with his wife and neighbors making and releasing a video about ornament theft. I'm also not sure what your point is in saying "Hyphenated Author" to what I am assuming is me; I would say "I think it's okay to turn off the psuedo name calling, Muppet-Insect." Actually, I'm also not sure why I'm being called Grinchy. I didn't steal anyone's $1000 elf.
In a city where people spend $1000 a night on bottle service at clubs or a day at a spa, there are a lot more things to be disturbed about than a family's alleged decadence with its Christmas decorations.
I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, but... just think of the good that $1k in decorations would do at a local shelter, library, or public school. I'm not saying everyone should never do anything for themselves or give everything away, but even if I had the money, I couldn't imagine spending that much on holiday decorations.
vixencb i agree with you--i mentioned that over the weekend when we wrote about the theft for the first time. i sort of think putting out those decorations in the first place is the real grinchy act (along with people who spend $1000 on drinks at a club) considering how many people are truly in need this holiday season, and in general these days.
Why should people that have money be forced to not spending how they want?
They can't spend $1000 on decorations or bottle service because the economy sucks?
If they have it, they should be able to spend it however they want!
If they want to flush $100 bill down the toilet just to see how fast it disappears, that's their money, their life, they worked for it, they earned it, they should spend it however they want.
Hummm... How fast would a $100 bill flush down the toilet? I'll have to get back to you on that. :-)
I expect nothing less from Columbo!
I also agree with trojan- It's really not our business how he spends his money...
This video shows that the rich are being affected by the economy too!
I say look beyond the money and just laugh at the video.
Imagine a chained snowman on the front lawn of a twelve million dollar house!
If you have a 12 million dollar house what's $1,000.00 for a santa?
Sounds crazy but those people have so much money that $1,000.00 to her is like $2-$3 to the average person.
I'm sure she probably donates more $ a year than most of us make in a year.
It's ridiculous to spend that kind of money on decorations but you have to admit it's pretty funny!
Lindsay, I agree there are a lot more people out there that deserve our sympathy right now.
Eh, I think the post above me has a point. If you live in a Beverley Hills mansion, it would look... well, I'm not sure what it would look like, except BAD to put dollar store decorations on your lawn.
But stealing a $1,000 elf is sort of like stealing an expensive work of art. What are you going to do with it? Hang it on your apartment balcony?
whether it cost $.01 or $1k, people should do whatever they want with their money.
i just wonder about the people who stole the decorations: what did they do? did they case the joint before committing this crime? or was is just a random occurrence?
"Times are tough so the crime committed against you doesn't matter. I just wanted to tell you that, you stupid rich people. Repent for you sin of spending your money on lawn decoration!"
What a brilliant article.