Saratoga News

Grand theft, burglary rates rose, according to statistics

Cops say homeowners should take precautions

Garages, doors left open

By Michelle Alaimo

Burglaries and grand theft rates were up last year from 1996, according to 1997 year-end statistics compiled by the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department Westside Substation.

But crime rates--burglaries, in particular--could be lower if Saratoga residents would only take the proper precautions, sheriff's office officials said.

"Everyone has the attitude that it's going to happen to the next person, until it happens to them," Deputy Mark Eastus said.

Each week, the sheriff's log is filled with reports of stolen car phones and items taken from open garages and homes. In most cases, the burglar entered the home or car through unlocked doors and windows.

This year, the sheriff's department stopped a three-person crime wave in which the three suspects--none from Saratoga--preyed upon those who left their garages open. They took items ranging from a purse to golf clubs. Thanks to a neighbor who spotted the burglars in action, suspects were caught.

"When we apprehended the open-garage burglars, it drastically reduced the burglary rate," Lt. Cary Colla said.

Last year, there were 140 burglaries, mostly residential, compared to 112 in 1996. Grand theft, which involves the theft of any item worth more than $400, was also up to 121 compared to 108 the year before.However, Colla said, not all burglaries can be attributed to residents leaving doors and windows open. Other reasons for these crimes are Saratoga's affluence as a community and crime waves that move from one city to another. One example is a burglar known as the "hot prowler." The unknown suspect first struck 14 homes in two nights during the summer and recently struck more homes in early December before moving on to Cupertino. But simple precautionary measures might have prevented even some of those incidents: The prowler, who took primarily cash, used little or no force in each of his burglaries and entered most homes through unlocked doors and windows.

Eastus suggests that residents take measures to protect themselves, which means simply locking doors and windows in homes and cars. Sheriff's officials said residents should not leave valuables unattended in their car, even for a minute.

"Get into the mode that 'I could be the next victim,' " Eastus said.

Lt. Colla said he encourages those who have car phones to lock them in their trunks when leaving the car unattended.

"Predators attack vulnerable and easy situations," Colla said.

Other measures suggested by sheriff's officials include having automatic sensor lights installed at home, cutting shrubbery back away from the house and letting neighbors know before going on vacation.

Other statistics for crime in Saratoga show that assaults in the area are down to 85 from 102 in 1996 and petty theft is at 192 compared to 199 the year before. As in 1996, there were no homicides in the city, and rape statistics have remained constant at two.

Colla said the statistics are manageable for a community this size. "Saratoga is actually one of the safest cities in the United States," he added.

[ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ]