"Baby on Board" Sticker

[snipe300]

My wife and I were discussing the "Baby on Board" stickers while driving the other night, and she raised an interesting point: could it make the people driving the car with the sticker more of a target because the hands of someone with a baby are inherently more "full" than someone without? Also, a parent is more likely to be concerned with the child than a material possession (i.e. keeping the thief from getting the car, purse, etc.). I had never really thought about it, but it does bring up an interesting point.

 

[Sam1911]

Some will say that almost any visual indication about you (even a "This car protected by Smith & Wesson" sticker) will give a bad guy SOME valuable advantage.

I've never heard of criminals specifically targeting folks who had kids, but a small yellow window sign is going to be a less obvious "tell" than car seats, stuffed toys, and the various other very visible accouterments that go along with small children.

Of course, the counter-argument might be that anything that indicates you have small children might be a powerful deterrent because it indicates a young family with kids -- so obviously they're totally BROKE! D Ask me how I know! )

As an aside: I haven't seen one of those BOB signs in years. I thought they were originally sold as a gimmick that might alert rescue personnel to look for a small victim that might be overlooked after a crash, but the presence of a child safety seat in the vehicle usually seems to get that message across pretty well. From that perspective, if you believe that they represent ANY detriment to your security I'd avoid them as generally useless.

 

[Sam1911]

Now why is this going off-track already?

 

[LeonCarr]

I like the folks that put every sporting event their child is involved in, what school they go to, what gymnastics place they go to, what soccer club they are with, etc. on the back windshield of their car/truck/minivan. Why would you want to give a kidnapper/sex offender all of that information?

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[earlthegoat2]

I hate to be all extraworldly and such but we cannot choose the time or the place. We can only be prepared for when it happens. I like to believe that most crimes are random but this is far from the case. All you can do is prepare the best way you know and pray it is enough.

There are plenty of folks who think a five shot 640 is not enough for defense but the average incident shows that three rounds are barely ever fired and the incident stops with the first shot usually. This does not mean you are not going to run into Hezbollah hit squad on the subway and be glad you brought your Hi Power but that is just something that is way too far fecthced to practically prepare for unless you are some foreign dignitary.

The BOB sticker could be a deterrent to one and a lollipop to another. Until then just keep on living and keep on practicing with that Glock.

 

[Ragnar Danneskjold]

You could consider not getting a Baby on Board sticker because they're lame?

 

[Grey_Mana]

A baby on board sign will increase the odds of somebody suddenly begging you for a diaper or baby wipes, baby snacks or a juice box. If the beggar is a disheveled male, check to see if he has a crying/stinky baby before deciding he is interviewing you for a mugging.

 

[Wadero]

Off topic but I think I heard that the original "baby on board" stickers were pulled because they looked too much like hazardous material placards.

But on topic, I think there are better ways for criminals to pick targets. Like someone at a red light with their window open trying to dial on a cell phone while eating a cheeseburger and changing the radio station.

 

[hammerklavier]

If the criminal is so lacking in the powers of observation as to require a sign, then I wouldn't worry too much.

 

[Warhawk83]

Of course, the counter-argument might be that anything that indicates you have small children might be a powerful deterrent because it indicates a young family with kids -- so obviously they're totally BROKE! ( Ask me how I know! )

Welcome to my world!!


I had BOB stickers for a short time. The asshattery going on around me in traffic increased dramatically. People either driving too conservatively or too aggressively. The " how dare you think I shouldn't tailgate you because you have an infant in the car" syndrome.

I never thought of it from a tactical standpoint but I believe Sam is right. Most people know if you are young and have kids in the car you have way more money going out than coming in.

 

[Losov]

I don't want the average joe on the street or in traffic to know any more about me than I absolutely must divulge (i.e., lic plate #) No political stickers, no "my kid is smarter than your kid" signs, no free advertising for gun makers - nothing.

 

[BigO01]

Just one question you need to ask yourself before putting any stickers not required by law on your cars rear window or bumper .

Do I really want the guy behind me trying to read a sticker on my car or do I want them paying attention their driving and the fact that I just stopped and NOT run into me ?!!!

 

[zombienerd]

My wife has one on her car. It's a big yellow diamond made by Safety First, inc.

Her reasoning is to keep people safer around her in traffic. I don't think it makes much of a difference.

I also don't think it adds much more "target" factor to the vehicle than the car seats, window shades, and trash/toys all over the car.

 

[Claude Clay]

i am much more in fear of the 'mother-in-law' in trunk

suppose she got out and i was the 1st one she saw.......

 

[IdahoSkies]

Enough personal information about me is broadcasted without my knowledge. I don't need more of it going out into the world.

I think a BOB sticker could weigh on either way (for or against) someone choosing you for a crime. (It could give more information that there is a woman sometimes in charge of the vehicle making it a target for those who are looking/planning to commit a sexual assault.

I would rather say nothing about who I am, or what is in the car. I have more control over that.

 

[archigos]

Honestly, there's no point to a "Baby On Board" sticker. Nobody is going to think "Oh, they have a baby on board, perhaps I shouldn't hit them." Those idiots are going to hit you either way. Plus, it makes you look silly because it seems like you think its going to actually have a safety effect.
However, your point about somebody seeing the sticker and thinking you've got more on your mind and potentially targeting you is one I've not thought about before, and I think it deserves some serious consideration.

Lets say this at the very least:
- There *may* be a practical reason to avoid putting the sticker on your car.
- There *is not* a practical reason to actually put the sticker on your vehicle.
Winner: Leave it off.

 

[ilikepancakes]

People either driving too conservatively or too aggressively. The " how dare you think I shouldn't tailgate you because you have an infant in the car" syndrome.

True. But you should also consider that you voluntarily put yourself at a higher standard on the road by posting a safety sticker. If you have one of those and do make a mistake in traffic people are going to think you're being a hypocrite.


Otherwise I think this is the same as any other bumper sticker. Might be a factor but is probably low on the list of reasons you get targeted.

 

[W.E.G.]

I had one of those signs.

But after the kid had been around for a while, I changed it to this, and people stopped messing with me.

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[LemmyCaution]

I like to wear a pink "Baby on Board" t-shirt, though I'm chromosomally XY. I believe it keeps other people off guard. Is this tactically unwise?

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I like the folks that put every sporting event their child is involved in, what school they go to, what gymnastics place they go to, what soccer club they are with, etc. on the back windshield of their car/truck/minivan. Why would you want to give a kidnapper/sex offender all of that information?

+1, I think those are a horrible idea. Oh look, little Tyler is #14 and plays soccer for the Knights at so-and-so middle school.
Lately I haven't seen many BOB stickers/signs but notice a proliferation of the stick figures supposedly representing a mom, dad, a certain number of kids, and sometimes a pet.
I don't think any of them have much of an effect on victim selection, although who knows, maybe it would prevent some of those "idling car stolen with baby in back seat from stop n rob store" stories on the news from mentally challenged parents?

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

I thought they were originally sold as a gimmick that might alert rescue personnel to look for a small victim that might be overlooked after a crash, but the presence of a child safety seat in the vehicle usually seems to get that message across pretty well.

They were, but when everyone started putting "____ On Board" on their cars it strayed from the original intent and became a joke.

My wife and I were discussing the "Baby on Board" stickers while driving the other night, and she raised an interesting point: could it make the people driving the car with the sticker more of a target because the hands of someone with a baby are inherently more "full" than someone without?

I am hard pressed to make that connection.

 

[snipe300]

Thanks ya'll. Haranguer, how much stuff goes with a baby wherever it goes? I'm thinking usually a diaper bag at the least. Thanks again for the input. The sticker will definitely not be on the car.

 

[Warhawk83]

how much stuff goes with a baby wherever it goes?

More than you could possibly imagine until you have a child of your own.

Toys,clothes,diapers...on and on and on.....

When they get older you get to fish petrified Mcnuggets out from under your seats and try to clean up spilled icees and all manner of other things.

 

[VPLthrneck]

Have fun with the sign and get one made up that says: "My baby can shoot your Smith & Wesson"

 

[medalguy]

Maybe I should get one of those. My "baby" is 36 and she handles a S&W Model 65 very well, thank you.