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Word is coming out from a few sources that the previously announce LEGO set will no longer be part of the lineup. 60278 Crook’s Hideout was part of the City lineup due out this spring/summer but we won’t be seeing it now. LEGO has always represented the good and bad side of policing and has had several sets in the past that were hideouts for law-breakers.
Following some questions on the LAN (LEGO Ambassador Network) forum, it was revealed by LEGO that the set was pulled with this semi-cryptic statement:
With LEGO City, we always aim to represent the reality of the world in a way that is fun, positive and appropriate for kids. With this in mind, we have decided not to launch this product as we no longer feel it is in keeping with the values of the LEGO City brand.
Last year, the LEGO Group also pulled the Technic set 42113 Bell Boeing Osprey after a German Peace group complained that it had military ties. In that case the complaints were very public and visible, and made some sense. Here there’s no visibile outcry against the set.
It’s unknown what exactly prompted LEGO to pull this set. Over the last year the US (not alone) has had a lot of issues with violence, police behavior and criminal activity so it’s possible that this is the LEGO Group reaction to this. I remember reading about them possibly delaying a set last year in the middle of a giant police incident.
Glamorizing criminality or suggesting that it “fits in your city” and the giant stick of dynamite definitely seems to be against LEGO’s anti-violence & war stance. It looked like an interesting set, and for it to get all the way through to the catalog announcement without someone saying “Hey, folks?” makes you wonder what happened.
Is this a shift in LEGO policy/ethics for upcoming sets?
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