Thefts from vehicles are just one of the types of crimes that are on the rise in our neighborhood. The website www.crimereports.com notes approximately 27 incidents in our area in the last 30 days. This does not include vehicle theft, which is handled by the Highway Patrol and is not reported by Crime Reports. Neighboring communities continue to be targeted as well, including Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Alamo, and Danville.
Thefts from vehicles are taking place at night. Thieves, often working in pairs with one functioning as a lookout, are breaking into cars left parked outside. In most cases there are items left in vehicles that make them an attractive target for the thieves. There more incidents that where burglars and thieves have been “casing” neighborhoods ahead of time, to learn where people are away from home during the day or evenings and where vehicles are left outside at night.
We can help ourselves and our neighbors by taking some common sense steps.
Additional strategies are available at: www.crimedoctor.com/home.htm.
The Sheriff’s Department has stepped up undercover patrols, but overall Sheriff’s Department manpower is continuing to suffer from State and County budget cuts. There are fewer regular patrols, and there is no longer a Resource Officer to support Neighborhood Watch Programs. As a result, the Saranap Homeowners Organization has contributed $247.71 to purchase six signs from the Office of the Sheriff of Contra Costa County. These signs have been installed in the Saranap neighborhood by a group of concerned Saranap residents who have organized a citizen-led Neighborhood Watch program. You will see the signs at key entry points to the Saranap neighborhood. Check back for more information about this Neighborhood Watch program with information about how you can join in and help your neighbors and neighborhood.
This sample map from Crime Reports shows the crime activity in the general Saranap area from June 20, 2012 to December 20, 2012. Some recent crimes may not be included; the Sheriff’s Department may need several weeks to report a specific incident. Stolen vehicles aren't shown; they are reported to the Highway Patrol which does not currently submit their reports to this service.
The flag code are defined: A = Assault; B = Breaking and Entering; P = Property Crime; R = Robbery;
T = Theft; TV = Theft from a Vehicle.
For more information, go to www.crimereports.com and enter saranap, ca to view our area, or enter any other city in the US, Canada, and the UK (that reports its statistics to Crime Reports) to view that area.
Updated information on incidents in Saranap is being shared by neighbors in an online group at http://groups.google.com/group/saranap-group. Follow the instructions to join this group to see the information posted there. Be aware that some Saranap homeowners have attempted to join this group but were not successful.
