Eye for an eye

[SINK-OR-SWIM]

I would not have posted this one. First off the cutting of the strap is criminal mischief(under $1000 damage is a misdemeanor), so just hope that the guy who had is strap cut does not find out who did it one year from the date the crime occurred(statute of limitations). Secondly, this fits the felony crime of Wanton Endangerment 1st due to the danger your friend created for the boater and his family towing the boat and all the other motorist traveling on the highway around the boat. This is not including civil liability as well. This is just not the way to handle a situation. I hate the fact that so many people were put at risk and that your friends kids witnessed this criminal act. If I was your friend I would be very mad that you posted this one and provided proof to the public of his criminal actions. I'm not posting this to make you mad, I don't even know anyone on here. I'm just posting this to try to get everyone to think before they get mad over a non-criminal matter and turn it into a criminal act.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Agree damaging someone else's property intentionally is a crime. No argument here at all.

But if someone cuts the strap on my winch, I don't think that person has created an unsafe condition. Again, agree at this point he has damaged my property and has done vandalism. I think I create the unsafe act when I load my boat, and trailer away knowingly with no winch strap on the boat. When I pull out and start to tow, it is "I" who is now guilty of crating an unsafe act. I believe someone with an unsafe rig always has the option of either:
a. Finding parts and fixing it before towing.
b. Leaving it there until it can be fixed.
c. Using an alternative method to make it safe to use on the highway.
d. Or calling for a tow, reporting the vandalism to the insurance company, and requesting they pay for the tow to the repair shop.

Not leaving anybody off the hook here. Just causing thought. I think he who actually "operates" the equipment, is responsible for insuring it is safe before putting it on the highway, without regard to who caused or what caused the rig to be unsafe.