Zen,

I can see your point on civil disobedience. Try stealing my gear and there will be nothing civil about it!! Whether YOU think there is justification in your mind or not… Does that make the situation any better? NO. Call the cops..that's what they are for. Also, if the signs were posted everywhere already and it was a known problem in the area I am sure that they would have been out there to solve the problem. Now the only reason the cops were called (if they were) was a report of some A-hole stealing the guys gear. Did absolutely nothing to stop the guy from snagging again...