Hello again, neighbors,

Regarding the incident I posted to this web site on July 28: I filed a police report with the SJPD; they told me that they will increase the frequency of neighborhood patrols. I don't know how many more times they'll be in the neighborhood, nor during which hours, nor how long the additional patrols will continue, but any increased presence is wonderful.

My neighbor told me today that a friend, who lives across Santa Teresa on Allen, experienced a similar problem: A garage door remote control was stolen from one of their vehicles. The friend changed the codes on the remaining remote control. The next night, somebody returned to their home and tried to get into the garage. The neighbor went outside to investigate and a car sped away.

With the increased police patrols, perhaps these people will (a.) be caught, or (b.) move out of our neighborhood, or (c.) just quit their stupidity.

Recommendations:

(1.) Report ANYTHING suspicious to the police, especially unfamiliar vehicles repeatedly driving up & down your street. Make a note of the date/time, vehicle type, color, and the driver and/or occupants; write down license plate numbers.

(2.) Keep your vehicles locked at all times.

(3.) DO NOT keep your garage door remote controls ANYWHERE inside your vehicles (even "out of sight" in the glove box); carry them in & out of the house with you each time you come & go. It's a hard habit to break, but one that could make a big difference to the safety and security of your family and your possessions.

(4.) Consider retrofitting the inside of your garage door with a mechanism that will prevent the door from lifting manually or with a cloned or stolen remote control. Again, another hard habit to break, but...

(5.) Keep your garage door closed at all times except when you are moving vehicles in/out. Personally, I would recommend keeping it closed even if you are in your front yard watering, etc. It doesn't take long for somebody in a vehicle to spot something "interesting" in your garage as they drive by.

(6.) Although a financial "hit," consider leaving your exterior lighting on all night, instead of turning them off at bedtime.

TAKE NOTICE, and TAKE CARE.

Donna R. Gibeau