‘If they can see it, they will steal it,’ Warns Arcata Police

Arcata Police Feature With CarsPress release from the Arcata Police Department:

While preparing for a Public Safety Committee meeting reporting out on RIMS Dashboard crime data the Arcata Police Department conducted an analysis of all theft cases reported to APD during the month of December 2020.  Of the 63 reported theft cases, 15 bicycles were stolen and 25 parked vehicles were broken into; both crime types accounting for 63% of all theft cases for the month.

In most cases the vehicles were locked and the property stolen was visible from outside.  The suspects smashed a window, a common modus operandi, and stole property which oftentimes consisted of clothing, sunglasses, cash, luggage, camping gear and in one case, the entire contents of the victim’s personal property that was packed for a move out of the area beginning the next morning.  These crimes can take less than a minute to complete and oftentimes occur overnight.

This analysis is being shared with community members in Arcata in order to draw attention to the frequency of theft related crimes in Arcata and to encourage community members to take the necessary steps to safeguard their property.  While not recommended, APD has learned that many people who remove all property from their vehicles at night oftentimes leave their doors unlocked to avoid having to pay several hundred dollars to replace a window broken by a suspect intent on simply rummaging through a parked vehicle in search of property of some value to them.  Suspects barter, trade or sell stolen property to fuel drug habits or to pay for their own food, clothing and shelter.

All vehicles, whether parked outside a home or business, hotel, on the street, in an alley or wherever the final destination is for the evening, should be emptied of all property.  Doors should be locked and windows rolled up.  Alarms should be activated and, if at all possible, park in a well lit, well traveled and/or secure parking area.  APD Officers and Detectives identified several car burglary and bicycle theft suspects by investigating the use of the victims’ credit cards by suspects and by analyzing video evidence.  The Arcata Police Department encourages any victim to immediately report thefts so that the investigative process can begin as soon as practical.

In the next several months the Arcata Police Department will be implementing an on-line crime reporting system whereby community members will be directed to file reports of several crime types through a secure web based computer program.  It is expected that the number of property crimes will increase as less crime will go unreported because victims will be empowered to file a crime report on their terms and at a time that is convenient for them.  By being pro-active in utilizing crime prevention techniques however, Arcata may realize a decrease in property crimes if the necessary steps are taken to protect property.  Many theft crimes are preventable by safeguarding property in a secure location.  Remember, if they can see it they will steal it.  If you witness criminal activity please call APD Dispatch at (707)

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I strongly dislike low lifes
Guest
I strongly dislike low lifes
3 years ago

“Arcata may realize a decrease in property crimes if the necessary steps are taken to protect property”
Maybe if there was any punishment and our government did its job to protect its citizens then I wouldn’t need to have alarms, cameras, motion lights, extra locks and all the other things that are required now to protect the two bucks in change I have in my cars cup holder. I should be able to leave a loaded gun and five grand sitting on the front seat with the windows down and expect it to be there when I come back.

Buster
Guest
Buster
3 years ago

You are spot on!

I live in Arcata and had to tell my teenager (who has to park his car on street) not to leave any change in the cup holder because someone will break your window to steal a couple bucks in change.

Maybe Logic
Guest
Maybe Logic
3 years ago

Maybe if there were an actual functioning economy and full employment people wouldn’t be forced to live on the streets and commit acts of petty thievery just to get by. But that would mean the employing class would no longer have the luxury of a labor glut, and would subsequently be forced to pay an actual living wage to the hoi polloi.

Alf
Guest
Alf
3 years ago

They must be just poor misunderstood souls. Call in the social workers, mental health services, rehab services, but by all means defund police, close the jails and give these losers a participation ribbon.

Oh yeah, they already did!

Steve
Guest
Steve
3 years ago
Reply to  Alf

Defund the police means no military grade gear [edit]

Fast Freddy
Guest
Fast Freddy
3 years ago

Arcata Police rarely makes arrests. It’s a free-for-all with most crime in Arcata.

Resident
Guest
3 years ago
Reply to  Fast Freddy

A growing band of young men live around Health Sport in Arcata and the Community Center. They are bold enough to set up a bike chop shop and piles of possibly stolen goods in plain sight. How can this be ignored by law enforcement? Time to enforce the statutes on the books and make it clear this is illegal.

Really?
Guest
Really?
3 years ago
Reply to  Resident

I know, what’s up with the camp right outside of healthsport by the path up to 7th St? I ride my bike through that lot often and there seems to be no attempt at clearing out these people.

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago
Reply to  Resident

I just went by there. Yes- a large encampment has been allowed to stay there. I’ve witnessed that for months. But get what Arcata is doing for a solution? Putting up permanent metal fencing around the perimeter! So…liberal and always- compassionate Arcata is refusing to move this encampment or deal with it…exceot- by putting up a very expensive fencing project which converts the appearance of their “community center” into some jailhouse vibe. And then I guess they just lock it up at night so nobody can be there. At huge cost to the town people! How stupid can you get?! THAT is what misplaced compassion does for you! Arcata needs to appear compassionate and caring – but not caring to their own tax-paying citizens! Ha ha- classic poser illiberal bullshit.what a bunch of assholes

Anon
Guest
Anon
3 years ago
Reply to  Resident

You are a voice of reason. Why is it the victims fault ? Steal from my car? “My fault,u saw something you wanted.” 😔
Nothing will change for the better if Ca. doesnt pour resources into long term mental health inpatient treatment,substance abuse treatment,and laws that allow hold ppl accountable/ offer them help.

Don’t Get It
Guest
Don’t Get It
3 years ago

Mhmm when petty theft is not so petty. Check the Penal Code. So are bank statements “considered” personal property? That are often in mail that we reasonable expect to not be in the objective trunk of the car and not shared so to speak.

Big Bang
Guest
3 years ago

Had my rig broken into at a driftboat put-in once. Laid for ’em and caught ’em. Gave them the choice of calling the cops or takin’ their licks, They took a good ass kickin. Guess what? it NEVER happened again in that spot. Word travels fast in the dirtbag world…

Pic
Guest
Pic
3 years ago
Reply to  Big Bang

pics or it never happened.

Willow Creeker
Guest
Willow Creeker
3 years ago

More penalties needed, and more police. Sorry conservatives that means more taxes.

Joeschmo
Guest
Joeschmo
3 years ago
Reply to  Willow Creeker

Nah, plenty of states with no income tax and robust police forces. Open your eyes to the other government waste.

flightphysician
Guest
flightphysician
3 years ago
Reply to  Joeschmo

If they have no income taxes and a robust police force, then they either have a volunteer force or they have sales tax, property tax, visitor tax, and bigger city fees. It comes out of your pocket somewhere.

Gruest
Guest
Gruest
3 years ago

That’s why we can’t have nice things around here anymore.

Frank Pembleton
Guest
Frank Pembleton
3 years ago

It’s not going to get any better. The jails and prisons released thousands of criminals and refuse to accept new arrests due to Covid. Even if they could go to jail the low information voters of California minimized crime classifications and took away all the penalties. The crooks know it and are having a field day. Enjoy your Thunderdome.

H
Guest
H
3 years ago

Not everyone can grow weed anymore. It’s not helping the economy. The rich are getting richer and the tweekers are stealing cause they don’t have their own patch of weed anymore.

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago

Arcata has become the shithole that it deserves to be. Feces on the sidewalks, windows broken and rampant thievery. The illiberals must have wanted it like this. They have been obviously aiming in this direction for many years. Everybody is a victim and hey- we removed a statue.

Tired
Guest
Tired
3 years ago

Need to revisit the auto window tinting laws so that we can protect our vehicles and possessions. They should abolish those restrictions.

No
Guest
No
3 years ago
Reply to  Tired

Tinted windows are a safety hazard to pedestrians

Martin
Guest
Martin
3 years ago

Real good advice from Arcata Police Department on not leaving anything in view inside your vehicle. I have a neighbor friend that left CD’s, textbooks, etc., inside. They not only broke into a locked vehicle, but had the guts to steal it. I don’t think they will ever get the belongs or the vehicle back. I would assume it will be stripped, burned or left in some out of the place location until found. Blaming the police force does not stop the problem. You need to watch out for yourself, or pay the price.

SongBird I is We
Guest
SongBird I is We
3 years ago

DO NOT PARK OVERNIGHT ON THE 11TH STREET OVERPASS, EVERY WEEK CARS ARE BROKEN INTO THERE. THE MAIN THIEVES CAMP NEXT TO THE BRIDGE, THEIR CAMP IS FULL OF BICYCLE PARTS AND RUBISH, AND WINDOW GLASS IS RAPIDLY PILLING UP ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD. BE WISE PEOPLE TIMES ARE TOUGH FOR MANY.

Smallfry
Guest
Smallfry
3 years ago

Hey, I mostly travel with my Pitty in my car. She loves it in there..and I Haven’t got my car broken into yet..
She is as nice as can be.. but protective of the vehicle..

gooddog
Guest
gooddog
3 years ago
Reply to  Smallfry

I watched 2 guys try to break into my car while my dog was in there. That was pretty funny..

Po'alima
Guest
Po'alima
3 years ago

There are some countries where thieves have their hands or fingers amputated, but they have as much theft as we have. If someone doesn’t see any way to eat, fix their addiction, or stay warm, but to break your window, guess what?
Unless we can change our society somehow, to guarantee everyone’s basic needs (I’m not sure this is possible, although some countries are trying), then your best bet is to take the APD advice, and keep your stuff out of sight.

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
3 years ago

That’s why I got rid of my station wagon-no trunk to hide stuff in. This has been a major problem in San Francisco, and the cops are powerless to stop it because it happens so fast.

Richard
Guest
Richard
3 years ago

Leaving home at 4:30 AM on one of my hunting adventures this fall I passed a questionable man riding a bike down K St. In plane veiw strapped to his backpack was a pair of large red handled bolt cutters. If the criminals are this brazen there really is no law anymore.

Suzanne
Guest
Suzanne
3 years ago

Hey, what about the buyers of all this stuff?

Chumlee
Guest
Chumlee
3 years ago
Reply to  Suzanne

They’re respectable members of the business community.

Prometheus
Guest
Prometheus
3 years ago

Here’s the number one reason why crime is so rampant here and Californian’s have only themselves to blame…There are no consequences for many crimes now thanks to anyone that supported Prop 47. California’s Proposition 47 was overwhelmingly passed by voters in 2014 and downgraded a variety of “non-serious, nonviolent crimes” that had previously been considered felonies to misdemeanors. These include shoplifting, grand theft, receiving stolen property, forgery, fraud, and writing bad checks. As long as the total value of the stolen property is under $950, only a ghost of an offense has occurred. A thief may now steal something under that limit on a daily basis and it will never rise to felony status. The measure was endorsed by the editorial board of The New York Times, which praised it as a way to reduce overcrowding in the state’s prisons. It was also endorsed by the editorial board of the Los Angeles Times, which wrote that the measure was a “good and timely measure that can help the state make smarter use of its criminal justice and incarceration resources.” The American Civil Liberties Union also supported the measure and donated $3.5 million to support it.

Wall
Guest
Wall
3 years ago
Reply to  Prometheus

I call it “leveling the playing field.”

Oligarchs steal billions on the daily, and yet are feted as role models and “community leaders”.

Farce
Guest
Farce
3 years ago
Reply to  Prometheus

We keep moving the line of ‘acceptable behavior” towards the gutter. We call it “being caring and compassionate”. That is wrong and we -as a society- are being foolish. We are swamped in a mistaken concept of Misplaced Compassion. The people who suffer most because of this are lower to middle class citizens who must work harder to pay extra taxes and get less security and crappier environments to raise their children in…the wealthy live in neighborhoods where the police keep out the riff-raff. Our moral compass is degenerating and this is the result. At some point the frustration may result in a major clean-up of humans at the behest of a fascistic dictator. It is the misplaced compassion of illiberals that will actually lead us to terribly extreme right-wing “solutions”…My prediction based on historical reading

Stefan Robert
Guest
3 years ago

This is a great initiative to open an online-based crime reporting system from Arcata Police Department. Whereby community members will be directed to file reports of several crime.