Car Break in Spree has Residents Tightening Security
A string of car break-ins this week in Carpinteria, Summerland and Montecito has caught many residents off guard. Some are starting to beef up security.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department has had reports on a variety of streets including Venice Lane , Cameo Road and Canalino Drive in Carpinteria.
Danielson Road and Ortega Hill in the Summerland – Montecito area were also targeted.
Homeowners hearing of the crimes say their streets are normally quiet. Many already interact with their neighbors on a regular basis and watch out for each other.
“We came from a very small isolated area where nobody locked their cars,” said Janet Flink. For her and her husband, that is about to change. “We didn’t get broken into but we did decide to step up our security at the house.”
Deputies say many of the burglaries occurred when windows were open and doors were unlocked.
Margaret McCoy says she is not afraid to ask strangers why they are in the area. “We pay attention to strange people, strange vehicles and ask them why they are here. About three years ago my husband left his car unlocked and there went the Ipod and the camera.”
On one quiet street resident Jack Fisher said, “We don’t have that much traffic in this neighborhood. If there is a stranger here we would know it.” He also has motion detection lights and a good relationship with others on his street. Fisher says he not only locks his car but doesn’t leave anything inside.
