BASIC TRASHING MANUAL
Written by: The Blue Buchanner
This is an elementry manual on trashing. I
don't think I am qualified to do one on advanced
trashing, so here are the basics:
Trashing is the act of sorting through trash
captured from the garbage bins and cans of your
local MaBell office.
The trash often contains many valuable things
which can range from office memos instructing an
operator to carry out a special task (trace
someone's line..etc)
to actual working phones! In addition to those
things, you are also very likely to pick up Bell
manuals (they have this habit of replacing them
every time one word is revised) The following is a
list of suggested instructions and tips to follow
when or if you go trashing. Trashing can be quite
profitable and fun, provided you do it right and
don't get smelly, dirty, or busted.
STEP #1: LOCATE YOUR TARGET
This involves deciding on where exactly the
place is you want to trash. The place you want to
go trashing at is the Switching Office since
that's where everything happens. The easiest way
to find the S.O. is to look for a lot of microwave
towers. (not too hard, eh?)
A good place for advanced trashing is your
local COSMOS Office.
To find it, look for the place in your city which
most resembles:
1. A Castle or Fort
2. A Bunker out of WWII.
3. Your local Federal Prison.
4. A Building with the slogan "The more you
hear.." on it. The security around these places is
that of any of the 1, 2, or 3. Other possible
targets would include:
1. Relay stations.
1. Look for a medium to small size tower with a
little shack.
2. Look for a big-ass tower with a house with
AT&T on the door. The little shacks are
usually good to break into because they are left
with some really good stuff and are usually out in
the middle (maybe a little to the west) or
nowhere.
I've never been into the houses. You can easily
spot them because of the towers in the backyard
and the odd fact that they have only one door (the
front) and no (0) windows.
STEP #2: SCOUT THE TARGET AREA
One person should go out to the place you plan
to trash and take a good look around. He should
look for: Doors, cameras, fences, dogs, and the
garbage bins. This is to minimize the amount of
confusion when you go trashing that night or
whenever-the-hell you go.
The scout might want to make out a small map of
the streets & stuff in the area if the group
is unfamiliar with it. You might also want to use
it for quick, safe escape routes.
STEP #3: GATHER EQUIPMENT
Here is a brief list of equipment you might
want to take along:
MAP: Streets, doors, security guards/cameras,
garbage bins, etc...
CAR: Doors and trunk open (lights off) Liscence
Plate Covered While the car is not necessary, it
is helpful in quick getaways and is easier than
biking or walking.
PEOPLE: More than one; Less than six.
Almost never go trashing alone.
And never bring more than five guys along with
you. It's a little obvious when you have six or
seven teenage guys with sacks, dark clothing, and
flashlights. The recommended group is three, but a
duty chart shows more or less:
Number of people: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number to search: 1 1 2 3 3 4
Number to watch : 0 1 1 1 2 2
EQUIP : Sack (each - nylon recommended as is
light & easily washed/hidden)
FlashLight (each - with handkerchief)
Use the handkerchief to cover the light at all
times. (Light looks really unusual comming out of
a garbage bin at 3am)
Sneakers (ratty as possible - it is, afterall,
garbage)
Dark Clothing (no bright orange or other
florecent materials)
<+- ADVANCED EQUIPMENT -+>
Nitefinder goggles
Ski Mask
Gloves
Walkie Talkies / CB Radio
Lockpicks
A word on the lockpicks:
Lockpicks are very handy to have if the garbage
is locked up. BUT DO NOT bring them if you don't
know for a fact that there are locks -or- if you
don't know how to use them correctly. Should you
get caught, you don't want to have attempted
breaking and entry and shit like that trying to be
pinned on you.
Diversion Equipment: Smoke, Gas, Bang, or Flame
bombs
Bring only that- no pipe bombs, soda can bombs,
or harmful stuff like that. If you get caught with
that stuff, they get nasty. It is also tempting to
level the garbage bin just before you leave, which
is not too wise.
AND NOW, THE EVER PRESENT: DOs and DON'Ts
If you're going advanced trashing, bring along
a voltage meter to test fences, doors, and stuff
that might be electrically wired or monitored. DO
NOT go poking around anywhere other than the bins.
There are probably silent alarms on the doors and
possibly hidden cameras watching those other
places you might feel tempted to go poking around.
DO NOT make a lot of noise.
Tipping over the cans and telling dead baby
jokes is generally not a good idea.
Grab everything with typing on it. Leave the
lunches and coffee grounds.
DO it at night.
DO all the reading/sorting at home or any other
safe area other than the MaBell parking lot.
Go to the bathroom before you leave.
It's no fun to sort through pissed on papers and
manuals or sit in a bin that smells like shit.
DO NOT use the Diversion Equipment unless
REALLY necessary.
Don't be afraid to stash your haul/gear along
the way if it's slowing your escape.
DO NOT play jokes on the people in your party
like shutting them in the bin. or acting like
someone is comming.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
-TBB (FEB. 23, 1985)
