September 6, 2007

SJPD stats reveal auto burglary, vandalism rising in Almaden

Be alert, police advise

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Many Almaden residents are concerned about the growing rate of crime in their normally peaceful suburb.

“Petty crime is rampant in Almaden. It’s awful and it happens to everyone whether the school, church, swim club, AVAC, ASRC, Safeway,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous. “Do not leave anything valuable in your car covered or not and report all crimes regardless of how insignificant to the police. If we collectively raise the level of complaints to the city council and the police department we will have more officers patrolling.”

From top: Auto burglary showed 212 crimes for July 2006 rising to 244 for July 2007; there were 497 thefts in July 2006 and 564 in July of 2007; and vandalism data shows 384 offenses in July 2006 compared with 420 in July 2007. Crime statistics courtesy of SJPD

Autos broken into and items stolen, attempted bicycle thefts and even pizzas taken from Graystone Park are only some of the crime problems. And it’s widespread: from a purse taken in New Almaden at the Safeway Center, to car burglaries near Williams and Simonds elementary schools, to mail stolen on Coleman Avenue. The incidents have residents jittery and questioning the safety of the Almaden area.

In one incident, a resident parked her car near the McAbee entrance of the Almaden Quicksilver Park while planning to run the area. About 15 minutes later, she noticed that her cell phone was missing and returned to the recreational area to search for it. She found her windows smashed and her hidden purse, keys and other items stolen. A witness saw the incident and recorded the man’s license number. A police report was made, and they are still investigating the crime. The victim proceeded to implement the necessary precautions to guard again identify theft.

Another resident who lives near Williams School was awakened recently by the sound of the doorbell. At the door, a policeman informed her that her auto had been broken into. A purse had been locked in the trunk and was stolen, an easy target as the vehicle had been left unlocked. The neighbor’s car was also broken into with entry gained by smashing the window.

A picnic at Graystone Park turned into a theft. A resident had brought pizzas for the party. She went back to her vehicle for the rest of the items. She had noticed a group of teenagers sitting in the park but they “seemed harmless enough.” As she returned, a woman waved her hands and indicated that two of the teens had stolen a couple of the pizzas. She ran in pursuit of the kids, joined by a couple of neighbors.

“They got cornered at a fence at the Almaden Country School,” said the Almaden resident who last year had her purse stolen at the Safeway Center. “One of the dads’s yelled out ‘drop the pizzas.’ They did, hopped the fence and got away.”

The resident told the Times that other park-goers said that teenagers had been seen at the park smoking pot in the same area previously.

“Property crimes are on the rise all over-- not just in Almaden,” said San Jose Police Department [SJPD] Public Information Officer Enrique Garcia. “It’s a crime of opportunity—the crooks see laptops, purses, items of value. Lock the doors and don’t keep anything of value in your vehicles. Have an alarm [or deterrent]. With property crimes the bad guys have easy access to personal information.”

“We need more partnering up with the community. Call if there is a suspicious person or car in the neighborhood. It’s a win-win [situation] if the residents are involved. If you call the police the suspects know the area isn’t an easy target and they will not want to return. You can make a difference,” Garcia said.

SJPD crime statistics indicate that offenses are increasing in the Almaden area. Auto burglary showed 212 crimes for July 2006 with a rise to 244 for July 2007. Vandalism data shows 384 offenses in July 2006 compared to 420 in July 2007. Theft stats were 497 in July 2006 and 564 during this July. This data was only on reports filed with the police.

Officer Garcia states that precautionary methods are required. Not leaving items in sight or valuables in automobiles and locking vehicles. For potential criminals to leave an area, the thieves must feel that committing the crime is not worth being apprehended. For that to happen, residents must take a proactive approach and call the police if they see a suspicious person or vehicle in their neighborhood Garcia said.

The auto or individual may present no threat or a crime in progress but its “better safe than sorry.” There could also be outstanding warrants or probation violations on the vehicle or person that would lead to an arrest.

For a crime in progress or suspicious person or vehicle, call 911. For additional details regarding a pending case, call 311.