The haul in, and out, getting gear nicked.

[John Ritchhart]

Of course, sometimes patrons will try to walk out with a guitar or amp.

Of course? This is what's wrong with the modern era. We accept that this will happen. I think a thief of someone's gear is the lowest life form. Lower than whale dukey. If someone is stealing food that's a little different. But someone else's livelihood? Hang 'em says I.

[JeffD]

I think the absolute degree of risk changes from year to year. I find New York City a much much more secure town than it used to be in the 90s and 80s especially.

My experiences abroad has been to be wary of pick pockets and sneak thieves and the like, but that regular folks are pretty excellent everywhere, and probably very different from how I remember things when I was there last.

That said I am a huge fan of bicycle cables.

[Fr. White]

But someone else's livelihood? Hang 'em says I.

That's like stealing a man's horse back in the old days...and that was a hanging offense.

Not gig related, but when I deployed to Afghanistan I put a guitar in one of the shipping containers as we loaded up gear to go over. I figured 15 month deployment would be a great chance to finally learn to play the guitar.

Once in country I went and opened up the container and the only thing missing....my guitar! The thieves had cut through the side of the container, stolen my guitar, welded the container back closed, and painted it to cover up the welding spots.

There went my plans to learn the guitar...6 years later I am now learning the mandolin instead. So I guess the story ends well

[Timbofood]

Someone stole a Martin D18(serial number 196835) from a party at my home! Granted, there were many roommates acquaintances there whom I did not know but, nonetheless! If anybody runs across it I will be surprised.
Not necessarily hang them but the first digit of the right hand removal might teach them something, they would become known thieves. Or maybe left hand, it would be a lot more difficult to play!