Posted by dpennock on November 19, 2007 at 3:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Remember back in the good old days when Simi Valley was #1 and Thousand Oaks was #2 in the "safest cities over 100,000 population" category in the mid to late 1990's? The latest statistics I saw had T.O. at #11 and Simi Valley at #17. Those stats are a year old and new ones are coming out in which I am sure these two cities will drop even further. Can anyone suggest why these cities are dropping so far so quickly from their extremely safe past? What is behind the change?

Could the Star give us a description of the suspect so we all know who to look for (especially around ATMs)?

Posted by AnnaWhaat on November 19, 2007 at 5:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Carry your card and mace! Or go inside the bank during daylight hours. Never got to an ATM at night!

Posted by ironwoman on November 19, 2007 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Anna, this happened in the afternoon. So no matter what, day or night, it is not safe. That's ashame.
dpennock- Good question...I am pretty disgusted by the amount of crime in our entire County. But I was reading the sacbee.com yesterday and I read two disturbing articles...one was awarding an inmate $39,000.00 for causing him stress because the prison he was in was on lockdown for a significant amount of time. Another case in the county jail, an inmate was awarded $85,000.00 for retaliation (the deputies used flash grenades at inmates for causing a disturbance).
My point being---criminals have too many rights...organizations protect the criminals, lawyers protect them...and WE law-abiding citizens, taxpayers, hard-working people are the ones that are victimized...everyway around.
Tougher laws, Tougher sentences and rid the liberals will save our State.

Posted by Eyeswideopen on November 19, 2007 at 7:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It does seem to me like crime is way up in Simi Valley. It seems to make the paper every week with some kind of crime being committed. I think it's due to the growing meth users in that city.

Posted by sokol_kiev on November 19, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

honestopinion, I couldn't agree more with your comment about criminals and the excessive amount of rights they are now afforded. While we do need to ensure criminals are afforded some basic rights, after all this is America, it's gotten way too out of control. I lay the bulk of the blame for this squarely on the shoulders of the ACLU. This is an organization which has gone over the deep-end via their incomprehensible aggressive support for the civil liberties for criminals... while completely ignoring and refusing to support and defend the civil liberties of the victims of these criminals.

Posted by jgarretson on November 19, 2007 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That Wells Fargo has had a few robberies before. It's not in the best part of town. There are tons of cheap apartments and run down houses behind there on Patricia Ave.

Posted by prophet on November 19, 2007 at 9:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Influx of undesirables from south of the border leading to congestion of cities such as Oxnard, Simi, TO and that leads to crime. I mean not trying to make this a racist comment I'm hispanic but that's the case its getting worse and nothing is beiing done about it so you can expect for these cities to get worse.

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

prophet, at "not trying to make this a racist comment" you failed...

Discrimination based on socioeconimic status/classism is just as bad as racism.

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

*socioeconomic

Posted by clementine on November 19, 2007 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not so much the growth of cities - but who's moving into the cities. Low-lifes!!!

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

No description because it is irrelevant to the story. Why make it a race issue?

Posted by AnnaWhaat on November 19, 2007 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

honestopinion,THanks I just re-read it.
daze805,NO its not !!!!!!!
subvert_city ,Exactly, but this person goes into every article and turns people into racists! I think a phoebia is here in the making.......

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anna, try reading the comments above instead of only mine. My posts are replies to the ignorance spewed above...

subvert: to pretend the "poorer" parts of town have less problems would truly be ignorance. Sure there are more problems, and much can be done to correct these problems. For example, the fact that this crime is being reported by the VCS makes the citizens alert and keeps them informed... a modest start, but a start.

However, affluent neigborhoods don't have "better people", "happier lives"...just more money.

I know many folks who came from "poor" neighborhoods and were able to be succesful once given a fair chance.

In reality, people like you look down on others instead of finding solutions, and yes that is a very real problem.

Posted by QuestionAuthority on November 19, 2007 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sad but true, Crime in Simi, T.O. & Santa Clarita, which were once identified and the 3 safest cities in SoCal. IS in fact rising daily. Crime is increasing everywhere.

One reason might be that people used to be frightened about the thought of going to Jail or Prison. Not anymore. Now, it's considered a Vacation Spot with Free Room & Board.

My View: Go to Prison---get three square meals, a cot to sleep on, a blanket & pillow, a sink, commode, & toiletries. Provide required counseling, education & occupational training (w/pay of $.25 hourly), also provide a grassy field for physical exercise & recreation, and a Library for expanding the mind. Anything else, let them either buy it with the money they earn or let their families provide it for them.

Posted by Face on November 19, 2007 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't use an ATM when someone named Sleepy who is wearing gangster attire is near by. Also, you can try vomiting on your money, I heard this decreases Sleepy's desire for the cash. You can also lobby the state of California to allow folks to carry weapons, in that case, you could clock Sleepy upside his head once he turns his back to you.

Posted by BeReal on November 19, 2007 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who's raising these criminals? I think most of the problems stem from too many people having children and not knowing the first thing about raising them with good moral values, ethics, manners, discipline, etc.

This is not something new. It's just getting worse. Look at how so many parents let their kids do and have whatever they want.

Our Human "Race" is way out of control! Children are having children, drug addicts have children. I don't have a solution. I just think the majority of these problems begin at home. Granted, I know there are exceptions to every rule.

Posted by VenturaCountyGuy on November 19, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is real simple. More people = More crime. It's not rocket science or people migrating here from other countries. It's math.

Posted by FedUp on November 19, 2007 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"More people = More crime."

this is not necessarily the case. when more people moving in are lowlife criminal losers, then you have a problem. if the people that were migrating from the south were decent people with decent morals, and actually wanted to act civilized, then you would not have more crime.

someone above mentioned meth. that is another reason crime is on the rise. even the kids who had everything growing up made stupid decisions, and now they are needing to rob and steal for that next fix. pretty sad.

if you are a criminal, you should have zero rights. the victims are the ones whose civil liberties were violated, not the criminal loser. darn liberal lawyers are wrecking this country...

Posted by KathrynAsh on November 19, 2007 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Simi has got to do more to fight crime. Where are the police. I remember when I first moved to Simi 10 years ago, the police were everywhere, you'd see them pulling over speeding motorists, etc. Now nothing. My neighborhood is going to crap, there's graffiti and car break ins. And don't tell me that's the work of bored kids, there are serious gangs forming in Simi Valley, and the police need to stand up to these thugs before Simi becomes the next Oxnard. Property values are already plummeting, add in more crime, and anyone who can afford to leave will.

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

subvert, You make no valid points worth addressing. Instead of looking down on the "poorer" parts of the community go out and help, volunteer, make a difference. Many of us do it on a regular basis and I believe we are making a difference...

That's right, you don't know me so you have no idea how much I contribute every month to better the quality of life...not only for the poor but for all citizens of this fine county.

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gael, the comfort I receive from you and others filled with hate is that you are the minority, and the number of folks who spew your intolerance is dwindling less and less each day.

Those of us in the majority will continue to improve the quality of life for the honest, hard-working members of the community who choose to make a valuable contribution to society.

Posted by daze805 on November 19, 2007 at 7:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Facts?? You stated, " 80% of the people booked at the county jail are in this country illegally". The recent VCS article mentioned that 80% were "removable", not all illegals. Many are legal, but stand to lose their residency, get your facts straight.

I agree with you on this, the population increase has been a detriment to the quality of life. I don't think many illegals are buying up all the new expensive homes though. And as for who is committing crimes, people from all walks of life are, not just the poor. How rich was the guy who stole millions recently from the govt.(Haas)...was he illegal?

Posted by lrgvanman on November 19, 2007 at 7:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hmmm. Looks like this article has turned racial by some degree. Oh well, I live in Oxnard (shame on me) and I am multicultural. I am not afraid of the mess we have here and what happened at the Simi Valley ATM does not surprise me. We do have a Meth epidemic everywhere as well and as the population grows, so does crime incidence while ethnicity is irrelevent.

Posted by FedUp on November 19, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"while ethnicity is irrelevent'

I am sorry to break it to you, but ethnicity is relevant. when a large majority of the crimes are being committed by hispanic males, I do think that bears some relevance. for those of you who keep claiming it has to do with the increase in population, who is making the largest increase? that would be hispanics. it is no coincidence that hispanics are committing the majority of the crimes now is it? that is not racist. that is facts, pure and simple. "but they are only hear to get a better life for themselves and their family." maybe so, but they are doing it at the expense of my dollars, and my family's well being.

Posted by prophet on November 19, 2007 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

We as hispanics need to recognize what is going on and make changes the young male hispanics in this community are the ones commiting most crimes. We have to suck it up and admit the problem before we can fix the issue at hand why be oblivious to the problem and make excuses lets try fixing the problem.

Posted by dpennock on November 19, 2007 at 11:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think the stats for crime quoted here are per capita (per person), so an increase in people does not mean that per capita crime will increase.

Drugs seem to be part of it. If 80% of the people locked up in Ventura are "removable," I think this says a lot. It seems non-citizens (legal and illegal) are causing a very disproportionate percentage of our crime problem. Perhaps the open-borders philosophy people should reconsider their unsustainable and unwise positions. It is impacting our quality of life in a very negative way. Our society is in decline and like "prophet" said, denial is not going to fix anything.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on November 20, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

daze805 , I do read all the comments as I post.Then I get to yours!!!! In which you always feel like putting me down for something. That is my point!!!!! I know I have seen many people with hardly anything at all to live on, be successful and make ends meet without stealing.

QuestionAuthority ,Just to clarify.Most people in prison (well alot of them) wont eat in the chow hall. Your bunked with at least seven other people, your mattress is about two inches thick. If your lucky to get a welfare pack as they are called you need to make that roll of toilet paper last a month! If you do not have family helping you then your pretty much out of luck.....Prison is a sick and terrible place to be. HIV and Aids, Hepititis. People who don't shower!!!! I wouldn't want to be there for anything in the world!
subvert_city ,Thankyou!!!!!!!
GaelForce ,Great Comment!!!!!!!!

Posted by bastecki on November 20, 2007 at 10:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see no mention of what (who) was captured on the bank's video security system. Video cameras are omnipresent in our society. I can't buy a loaf of bread at Vons without having my every move tracked. I assume the bank would have ample video security, not only for the protection of the bank - but also protection of the customers.

Posted by karen.sheets on November 20, 2007 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OVERPOPULATED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! QUIT FRIGGAN BUILDING

Posted by karen.sheets on November 20, 2007 at 12:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

THAT TOO!!!!!!!!!

Posted by interested on November 20, 2007 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

They will never get rid of the illegals because they have cheap labor. They should start fining the companies that are hiring them and the apartments who house them and then see what happens. I don't understand, if it is illegal for them to come over here then are they being deported quickly?

Posted by AnnaWhaat on November 21, 2007 at 5:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

interested,I thought they had or were suppose to pass that law........They better hurry before we have another two million!!!!!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on November 21, 2007 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All Atm's do have camera's.........Hopefully they got a good description of him.

Posted by daze805 on November 21, 2007 at 5:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

interested, you are correct. You "dont understand" the problem. It is much more complex than that.

Posted by interested on November 21, 2007 at 10:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well then explain it Daze!!!!!

Posted by ironwoman on November 21, 2007 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

When you're in a daze, it's hard to make sense.