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T.O. police effort reduces vehicle break-ins
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More from Conejo ValleyFaced with a rash of vehicle break-ins, Thousand Oaks police decided to ramp up their fight against nighttime burglaries this winter by bringing together a task force of deputies, detectives and bike patrol officers.
Since then, the number of vehicle break-ins has gone from an average of 20 to 25 per week to six per week, said Detective Eric Buschow, a spokesman for Thousand Oaks police.
The dark winter months are an especially attractive time for prowlers who cruise through affluent neighborhoods looking for electronic equipment and other valuable property left inside vehicles, especially unlocked ones, authorities said.
"It's surprising the number of people who leave their vehicles unlocked, sometimes with the keys inside," Buschow said.
Car burglars have often found easy pickings in Thousand Oaks and nearby areas, police say.
"It's amazing what people leave in their cars," Buschow said. "We've had everything from laptop computers, purses, passports and thousands of dollars of professional camera equipment.
"You have to ask yourself why someone would leave such valuables in their cars." During winter, the owners are often unaware of what's going on outside, shielded from any noise by locked doors and windows.
Part of the task force's strategy has been to increase neighborhood patrols, especially after midnight, a prime time for vehicle break-ins, Buschow said.
Police have made numerous arrests in connection with the break-ins and other crimes, he said. Many burglars are drug addicts, "street-level narcotics users who are looking for a fix."
"We want to do our part," he said. "But we want residents to do their part as well."
This means being more aware of what's going on in the neighborhood and not leaving valuables inside vehicles, he said.
"If you have a gut feeling that something is not right, call us. And if you see a burglary in progress, dial 911," Buschow said.
Thousand Oaks police can be reached at 494-8200.
Posted by scottyspasm on April 4, 2008 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well done T.O. Police!!! Glad to see you're taking a proactive stance on these types of crimes. Maybe someday, Prop. 36 will go away and these doper thieves will start seeing some prison time. Keep up the good work!
Posted by DamnSkippy on April 4, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please! Nothing has changed! Locked cars are still being broken into in my apartment complex. I had my locked car broken into and they took the change after they destroyed the inside of my car. I have a neighbor who had his fuel pump cut out of his car! And at one point we had bands of these guys casing the parking lots. I'm not impressed. If they were out there trying to make a presence I'd see them driving around my neighborhood. All they do is send the T.O. volunteers to take a report.
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