Police say too many residents are naive about crime
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Thousand Oaks’ reputation as one of the safest cities in the country might be backfiring as many residents, feeling a false sense of security, are not using common sense to protect their property or privacy.

Valuables left unsecured in plain view may be attracting criminals to the city. Deputies have documented more than 70 vehicle thefts during the past three weeks. Purses, wallets, laptop computers, portable electronics, briefcases and backpacks have been taken. Most have been removed from unlocked cars.

Many of these cases turn into forgery, identity theft and credit card cases, a sheriff’s department report said.

“If you leave your purse or wallet in your car, you won’t just be a crime victim once. You will likely be hit with the follow-up use of credit cards and financial information that will take tremendous time and effort to resolve,” said Capt. Bruce Watlington, Thousand Oaks investigations team supervisor.

Cars with doors unlocked and keys left inside are being stolen. Often, people don’t lock the doors or windows of their homes.

“Thousand Oaks enjoys a low crime rate, but we have the same crimes as any other area, just fewer of them,” Detective Eric Buschow said.

Deputies have made multiple arrests, but residents continue to get hit with crimes that might be deterred with just a locked door, Buschow said.

“Sometimes narcotic offenders will do a smash and grab,” Buschow said, referring to smashing the window and grabbing what is inside before getting away quickly. “But if the door is unlocked, that makes it easy.”

In less than 10 minutes, police checked 25 random cars parked at The Oaks mall and found six of them unlocked with valuables easily seen by looking through the windows, Buschow said.

Thieves also look for valuables in cars at gym parking lots, where they know people don’t want to bring items inside with them. And outside convenience stores or cleaners, drivers may attract criminals by leaving their keys in a running car as they dash inside to pick up something.

It can happen in broad daylight, but many of the burglaries have occurred late at night in front of houses, Buschow said.

Fliers giving people a friendly reminder to secure their property will be put on cars, according to officials. Police have also created a notice that asks owners of businesses found to be unsecured to cooperate in reducing crime.