On my hike to Chacaltaya, I came across a remote and deserted village in the mountains.

The doors of the partially decaying houses are open, but none of them contains anything of use for me. One door is adorned with writing: PROHIBIDO ROBAR (“Burglary not permitted”).

The notice is absurd because

1. this is already governed by the criminal code,
2. even non-lawyers are aware of the ban on breaking into houses and stealing,
3. potential law-breakers will hardly be dissuaded by such a note.

But we are in Bolivia, the land of politeness and respect. This house is really the only one which has not been broken into.

People around the world who are worried about burglars, maybe you want to try this method.

Having said that, I should also mention that when people in Bolivia catch a burglar or suspect someone of being a burglar, they may lynch the suspect.