The empathy from this thread has been a welcome consolation, so a sincere thanks goes out to everybody who offered advice, sympathy, encouragement, and even offers of equipment. This kind of tragedy strikes a chord (not Am, I think it's D#dim) among musicians, any of whom can imagine themselves in my position.
 
Think of all the times you momentarily left your van unattended while packing out from a gig. Or how many times you trusted a venue to keep your gear overnight, or checked an instrument into airline baggage, or left your stuff at home when you left town. Or left your gear in your car while you went to eat at some sketchy truckstop diner en route to a gig. How many times have you lucked out?
 
If I sound paranoid, it's because I am. Paranoid and angry.
 
Fortunately, nobody has crossed me during this past week; I genuinely fear hurting someone. Me, the easy-going pacifist. Those asshats next door have undone a decade of self-prescribed LSD therapy in the 60's. Love thy neighbor? Ain't happenin' this week. 

Years ago, when I moved into my first apartment, my upstairs neighbors robbed me. I knew it was them, and so did the cops, but nothing ever came of it. It was scary feeling that vulnerable.
 
Booby trap the doors and windows, just don't hurt yourself in the dark
 
Regards,
Dan

That's (guardedly) good news about the insurance Dave, I was hoping it wasn't going to be another case of 'only insured until you claim'. Been there a few times.

Getting a brand new door means you may need a new doorbell w more aggressive sounds ...
IMHO some of these sound pretty good ....yard motion detectors w these sounds may work also
 
 

 
Kenny

dmbaer

bitflipper
I hope you are all learning something from my tragedy.

Routine periodic full disk backups - was doing that already.
 
Offsite storage of said backups - this is what I am taking away from this tragedy.

I've been on a weekly routine of swapping out rotational hard disk backups at my local bank's safety deposit box for quite some time. I had thought I was somewhat crazy doing that. I'm glad that's my established routine after hearing of Dave's awful situation. I had been motivated more out of fear of something like fire. Or just, you never know what could happen.

Man that is so unfortunate, I hope they catch the guys and I hope you can get back to doing what you love asap.

I still would have contacted a news crew (they love this type of story - sick bastages).  With everyone around you hearing about the theft it might give the police more motivation to resolve the case.  I'd also let the police know that you're not a guy who has lost some "possessions" that are easily replaced with insurance money.  Make them realize that most of your life over the last ten years as well as many items that insurance won't replace were lost.

craigb
I still would have contacted a news crew (they love this type of story - sick bastages).  With everyone around you hearing about the theft it might give the police more motivation to resolve the case.  I'd also let the police know that you're not a guy who has lost some "possessions" that are easily replaced with insurance money.  Make them realize that most of your life over the last ten years as well as many items that insurance won't replace were lost.

I agree, it's the classic "human interest" story that local news loves. Artist loses life's work in burglary. It's just the kind of publicity you need to get people looking out for your gear. 

Or the kind of publicity that draws more miscreants to my doorstep! One of the reasons I'd become complacent is that few people knew what I did in my garage. Unfortunately, those few included my immediate neighbors.
 
Two days ago I left yet another message with the PD, but this time I actually got a call back. It wasn't a detective or a supervisor. Just a guy sitting at a desk, but to his credit he did everything he could without actually getting up from his chair. He found the neighbor's address via Google Earth. But he did promise to update the case file with the new information.
 
When I feel bummed, I just pull up one of the many YouTube videos on the Kronos and let the G.A.S. symptoms overwhelm my rotten attitude. It arrives tomorrow. I have no amps, but the thieves did leave me some headphones. There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!
 
 
 

bitflipper
Or the kind of publicity that draws more miscreants to my doorstep! One of the reasons I'd become complacent is that few people knew what I did in my garage. Unfortunately, those few included my immediate neighbors.
 
Two days ago I left yet another message with the PD, but this time I actually got a call back. It wasn't a detective or a supervisor. Just a guy sitting at a desk, but to his credit he did everything he could without actually getting up from his chair. He found the neighbor's address via Google Earth. But he did promise to update the case file with the new information.
 
When I feel bummed, I just pull up one of the many YouTube videos on the Kronos and let the G.A.S. symptoms overwhelm my rotten attitude. It arrives tomorrow. I have no amps, but the thieves did leave me some headphones. There's got to be a pony in here somewhere!
 
 
 

man, it's really a sick world when thieves can do this and the police can't/won't do anything about it because it's not high priority for them.
 
Hoping you find a little peace tomorrow when your Kronos arrives!