Posted by member, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 14, 2012 at 7:16 pm

I have hiked the dish for year, parking on Alpine Road. I no longer have anything of value in my car. I stick my driver's license in my back pocket and leave my purse at home. If I ever need to have my purse, I remove anything important and minimize the cash. Everything goes into the trunk while I'm still at home so no one sees me hide it in the trunk. It takes a bit of planning ahead, but is much less bother than dealing with a breakin.

It's too bad that we must take such precautions, but losing credit cards, drivers license and the rest is just too overwhelming to risk. Let the hiker beware!

Posted by DC McGlynn, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 9:55 am

Where is the Menlo Park police, California Highway Patrol, San Mateo Co Sheriff, Stanford Police ** when you need them .. ? This has been a long time problem at this site.. and the police seem to be unable/unwilling/unmotivated (pick one or more) to deal effectively with the problem..

To local Police Management .. Please get out there and PREVENT these crimes, catch, prosecute and remove these people from our town.

DC McGlynn

dcmcglynn@gmail.com

PS. The City of Menlo Park response to the armed gunman on Sand Hill Road last week is laughable.. If he was outside the police dept they would have dealt with him .. or a school.. Pathetic !

** How bloated this system is .. how many police depts do you need .. ?

PPS. I am pro police .. son of a 35 year veteran ! Member 11-99 Foundation. (for the right reasons, I might add).

Posted by Scholar, a resident of the Menlo Park: Sharon Heights neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 12:49 pm

Yeah, how about putting up surveilance cameras monitored by the PD

Posted by Joe, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 1:38 pm

Yeah, let's make this into a police state. Then only the people with something to hide will be worried.

In this case, the people who did have something to hide -- their purses and digital gear -- did not do so. That is foolishness if not neglect, given the reputation of this area. A police state is not the answer to foolishness. A wiser and more cared for population is the answer, though that takes time and takes thinking of oneself as one's brother's keeper and is thus not a serious consideration.

Posted by Ol' Homeboy, a resident of the Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 2:41 pm

Where's one of those mountain lions when you need them?

Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 3:20 pm

Hidden surveilance cameras with a posting that actions are being recorded would most certainly be a deterrent to thieves having to think twice before breaking into cars.

Posted by Responsible, a resident of the Menlo Park: Stanford Hills neighborhood, on Feb 15, 2012 at 9:51 pm

I hike the dish and park the too. The SM Sherrif has set up a number of surveillance efforts yet to no effect. Obviously, by parking there you are gone for a significant window of time. In speaking with the officers it is a "crime of opportunity". While we can sit here and ask that "they" do more and suggest "they" set up cameras and assorted postings to "surely detour" these folks from doing this, "we" can take responsibility for our actions in this evolution of this environment (new crime spree) and keep valuable out of plain sight. Take the effort and leave your expensive purses, iPads, wallets and other items out of sight. Cops are doing what they can with the resources available and cameras to watch the crime happen with no assurance that an image will produce and arrest (Banks are known to have surveillance cameras and yet they still get robbed). I, for one, am not volunteering to be the guine pig if when the cameras are installed. As noted above, I will continue to be cognizant of my environment and be responsible with and for my valuables.

Posted by DC McGlynn, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Feb 16, 2012 at 9:32 am

When is Lt. Larry Schumaker going to catch these guys .. Have you ever heard of a 'sting' operation.. yes it works..

Posted by CG, a member of the Woodside School community, on Feb 17, 2012 at 9:31 am

I also hike the Dish regularly and *never* leave anything in my car. I can't believe these folks left so many valuables inside.

Also there was no mention of car alarms...were they on or not? I always set my alarm.

Posted by bob, a resident of the Woodside: other neighborhood, on Feb 21, 2012 at 12:50 pm

DC Why don't we have people put valuables in their trunks before we waste time and money on cameras.

Posted by Menlo Voter, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Feb 21, 2012 at 5:48 pm

C'mon bob, why would we have people take responsibility for safeguarding their own belongings? Next thing you'll be saying is that we should all lock our doors when we leave the house.