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The Atherton Police department is investigating a residential burglary that took place on Selby Lane at approximately 9:50 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2.
According to a news bulletin, police officers responded to a residential alarm on Selby Lane. Officers found a broken glass door and discovered that the master bedroom had been rummaged through while checking the house.
The police department is asking nearby residents to review home security videos for any unusual activity that may have taken place near the time of the burglary. Any residents with relevant video footage or other possible information is asked to call the Atherton Police Department at 650-688-6500.
This is the third residential burglary in Atherton that took place over Labor Day weekend. The first took place on Stockbridge Avenue on the evening of Friday, Aug. 30, and the second took place on Marymount Avenue between Friday, Aug. 30, and Saturday, Aug. 31.
“We have no information at this time that (the burglaries) may be linked,” said Atherton Police Chief Steve McCulley in an email to this news organization.
The investigation is ongoing and at this point no further details have been released, according to police.
In a message to residents, McCulley said that the Atherton Police Department is increasing patrols in the affected neighborhoods, particularly during the times when these burglaries have tended to occur.
“I understand this news is unsettling, and I want to assure you that the safety and security of our residents are our top priorities,” he said in the message to residents. “You may notice a higher police presence in your neighborhood, and we hope this provides you with some peace of mind.”
He also said in the message that Atherton detectives “are working diligently” to identify and arrest the people responsible for the burglaries. The police department asks that residents report any suspicious activity immediately. “No detail is too small.”
The Atherton Police Department recommends that residents install an alarm system and security cameras, install exterior lighting, keep valuables well-hidden, keep all doors and windows locked even when home, and when not at home, to keep lights on or leave a TV on to make it appear as though someone is home.
The Atherton Police Department also offers home security reviews by their trained crime protection through environmental design officers. Residents can make an appointment to have their home reviewed by calling the police department at 650-688-6500.
Hopefully town residents wake up to the basic fact that the APD does not have enough of a police presence to deter property crime in Atherton. Since this is fundamentally the only crime in Atherton, this is a serious issue.
This fact does not mean the police department is bad, but just a reflection of the economic reality that the town is so small that the overhead requirements of an independent police department cannot scale effectively, and the number of officers on patrol is too small.
As I’ve said before, the residents would be better served with outsourcing police services to the sheriff and using (just a portion of) the money saved to hire private patrol to provide meaningful property crime deterrence. This is what is done in Bel Air.
Because of historical reasons that amount to the police department cannot be questioned, this type of analysis hasn’t been done.
It’s time to do it.