What a range of reactions to the
recent uptick in burglaries! From the online boards, coffee shops, and neighbors walking their dogs, here’s an unscientific recap.
Defend Yourself: Most of the hits happen when we’re not home, but folks seem to be scared because sometimes the robberies are at night too. All kinds of ideas have been suggested, from baseball bats to firearms.
One interesting suggestion was to learn basic self-defense. There’s a class for women starting tomorrow, at the Redwood Heights Recreation Center (map). It costs $41 and will run on Saturdays, from 3-6pm, through November 8th. Either show up or reach instructor Titus Taylor: ttaylor@oaklandnet.com, 510-238-2384.
Make Home Improvements: Update your locks, replace old garage door openers, and install alarms inside or outside your home. Why bother? At the recent
community meeting with Oakland Police, Sandra Pohutsky took great notes and shared six things that Montclair break-ins have in common.
1. The burglars will leave if they hear an alarm after breaking in, so consider getting one of some type.
2. Doors kicked in are often 1970’s doors which have become brittle with poor framing. How strong is your door?
3. Dead bolt locks in old doors may have been installed with small screws that are now loose.
4. A sense of complacency may have resulted in using only the little door handle locks, leaving the dead bolt locks unused.
5. Front doors may be hidden from street view; cut down bushes and trim trees.
6. Inspect your house and beef up security.
Call The Cops: We are starting to help the Oakland Police track burglars more frequently now, said Montclair SIC’s Nick Vigilante, by calling and reporting suspicious people. Problem Solving Officer (PSO) Maureen Vergara, who covers Beat 13Z, asked for these details if possible:
1. license plate information – number and state
2. vehicle descriptions – make, model, color, and year
3. suspect descriptions – gender, race, as much as possible
Quit Oakland: Some people want to give up and join Piedmont and/or declare independence from Oakland. This was quickly pushed away as irrelevant or untenable by some, who have looked into the possibility before. Others are still hopeful.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Today in Montclair, 94611 