Do people steal beach umbrellas and chairs etc?

Yes, the theft of beach umbrellas and chairs is a common problem at the beachfront. Below is a tiered response strategy based on the experience of beach managers and regular visitors:

I. Common Scenarios and Common Tactics

"Accounting by Mistakenly Taking" Taking advantage of the chaos of closing down stalls at dusk, someone shouts, "Whose blue umbrella is this?" If no one answers, they quickly take it away—in reality, the owner is collecting towels five meters away.
Key-Based Locksmiths For chairs with combination locks, thieves often have universal keys (for example, CoastBreeze locks have a mutual opening rate of over 60%).
Scavenger Thefts Sweeping away stranded items at 5 a.m., disguised as cleaners, to remove "unclaimed" equipment.

II. Practical Anti-Theft Techniques (By Equipment Type)

Beach Umbrella
Marking Method: Use spray paint to graffiti the inside of the umbrella (the outside remains smooth for easy resale).
Anchoring Trap: Insert the umbrella handle into the sand and pour half a can of Coke into it. Once it dries, it will cling to the sand and fall apart if pulled out forcefully.
Beach Chair
Scar Verification: Intentionally bend one chair leg (doesn't affect its use, but makes it difficult to resell).
Chaining: Use bicycle locks to string chairs together, tying the ends to a rock or dead tree.
Refrigerator
Post a curse note inside: "Thieves will suffer impotence for ten years" (cultural deterrent).
GPS Tracker: Place it in the bottom compartment (costs less than $10).

III. Advanced Psychological Gaming Tactics

Anti-Appearance Tactics: Choose faded, repaired, and used gear—they're 7 times less likely to be stolen than brand new gear.
Fake Surveillance Signs: Use a sticker that says "AI Face Tracking" (thieves are wary of technology). Neighborhood Defense: Exchange phone numbers with the tents to your left and right, and agree to keep an eye on each other's gear (thieves avoid groups).

IV. Loss Prevention Steps for theft

Golden 10 Minutes: Immediately scan for anyone carrying similar items within a 50-meter radius (novice thieves walk slowly).
Psychological Appeal: Shout, "Hey, man in flowery shorts, you took my fluorescent chair by mistake!" (Use the pressure of onlookers).
Reporting Tip: When reporting a theft to a lifeguard, emphasize that "there's an EpiPen hidden under the chair's seam"—the administrator will intercept it immediately (falsely reporting life-saving medication triggers a rapid response).

V. Ultimate Defense Philosophy

Exit Rule: Take valuables with you to the restroom, and accept the depreciation rate for common equipment—emotional value outweighs material value.
Rent Instead of Buy: Directly rent at popular beaches, shifting the burden of theft prevention to the merchants.
Mobile Base: Collect items upon use to prevent territorial fixation.