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Menlo Park: Security camera helps capture alleged package thief

Original post made on Dec 19, 2014

A few days after a security camera captured the theft of a package from the doorstep of a home in the Willows neighborhood, Menlo Park police arrested a suspect.

Read the full story here Web Link posted Friday, December 19, 2014, 9:53 AM

Comments (15)

Posted by Edward Syrett
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Dec 19, 2014 at 2:49 pm

Edward Syrett is a registered user.

Good police work!


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Dec 19, 2014 at 2:56 pm

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

And exactly why are some people opposed to security cameras?


Posted by Baker
a resident of Menlo Park: Sharon Heights
on Dec 19, 2014 at 4:04 pm

How'd ya like to be out selling magazine subscriptions in all this rain. Good Lord. I can remember my first year as a letter carrier. That winter, there was a much rain as we're having right now. Even wearing overshoes, I'd get back to the station and have to pour the water out of my shoes. Not to make excuses for package stealing, but selling magazines has to be a crappy job -- and away from home?


Posted by Joe
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Dec 19, 2014 at 4:05 pm

I'm opposed to security cameras because I don't want to live in a world where are criminals are caught because all of us are under surveillance. It's not worth it.

To call such a world repugnant to decent and free-thinking people is to understate the case, but I can't think of a better word. This philosophy of catching all criminals is behind the armoring up of police departments. The logic, they say, is unassailable.

A world with no shadows and with no community that lives in those shadows is a world I don't want to live in. But there seem to be people who want such a world. It's a fight.


Posted by Joe
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Dec 19, 2014 at 4:08 pm

Correction: " ... in a world where all criminals are caught ..."


Posted by Tricia
a resident of Atherton: West Atherton
on Dec 19, 2014 at 5:13 pm

DELIGHTED that the culprit was caught. Joe needs to get real... It is not 1950s anymore sadly... I remember here where we could all take our bicycles out at eight years old and come home before sundown. Riding up and down Middlefield Rd., El Camino and Santa Cruz Ave.meeting at Fisters Freeze. Those days are gone. It is an unsafe world we inhabit now. I fear there is no going back. Now we need every camera we can get because there are so many more evil, ugly people in this world. Sad and sadder but more folks are black hearted greedy lazy and prey on the weak. I have even used my smart phone to catch a criminal in the act accidentally. Cameras are a fantastic deterrent as well.
With that said, I wish all of our good people a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Stay safe! Stay informed!


Posted by Menlo Voter
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Dec 19, 2014 at 6:35 pm

Menlo Voter is a registered user.

It's funny how the same people that insist every police officer should have a body camera on them to record every minute of their shift are totally against the use of cameras in other areas of our lives. Cameras are ubiquitous. Most of them are privately owned. We all have a right to record what goes on in public space. What's the problem with making use of that video? Would you go backwards and ban all cameras?


Posted by Caren Weinstein
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Dec 20, 2014 at 10:04 am

I'm also glad this person was caught! Being a victim myself this week of package theft (and not for the first time), I have learned that some people think it's ok to take what doesn't belong to them. And it's really NOT ok. So I hope she enjoys her Christmas behind bars so nothing else goes missing from our trusting neighbors.


Posted by Memories
a resident of another community
on Dec 20, 2014 at 10:37 am

It was just packages stolen- this is being very overblown.


Posted by SteveC
a resident of Menlo Park: Downtown
on Dec 20, 2014 at 11:58 am

SteveC is a registered user.

Joe: Please put a sign on your home inviting burglars to feel free to take whatever they want.


Posted by Joe
a resident of Menlo Park: Allied Arts/Stanford Park
on Dec 20, 2014 at 4:00 pm

SteveC: Where do you get the idea that I am endorsing burglary?

It's fine to fight crime, we just need to be careful of our means so that they do not end up justifying unacceptable and intolerable ends: a crime-free existence in which surveillance is welcomed, doors don't need to be locked, the streets are safe at all hours, and if you oppose such a world, it means that you have something to hide. The price is too high.


Posted by modernyouth
a resident of Menlo Park: other
on Dec 21, 2014 at 2:43 pm

What's a magazine?


Posted by Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Dec 21, 2014 at 4:23 pm

Peter Carpenter is a registered user.

Joe - In the modern digital world in which we live there is no way for you to avoid being observed and, possibly, recorded when you are in public spaces. You have your right to stay in your home and everyone else has their right to observe and, if they wish, record your activities when you are in a public place.

You could wear a mask when in public and cover your license plates but neither is recommended, both will expose you to increased scrutiny and the latter is clearly illegal.


Posted by Jeez
a resident of Menlo Park: The Willows
on Dec 22, 2014 at 8:09 am

@Baker... really? Selling magazines is the scam to get into the neighborhoods... smart citizens will call the police to check the solicitors to make sure they have a permit for such work.

@Memories - just packages? The packages contents are due to enter our homes, as gifts, or for our families. Many people have prescriptions delivered that they are in need of...

@Joe - yes, always being on camera is not great - but being able to catch criminals is always nice - The people that have camera's on their home caught a criminal that may have stolen from you, thank them for their efforts.


Posted by Hmmm
a resident of another community
on Dec 22, 2014 at 7:51 pm

Hmmm is a registered user.

Yes, just packages, I agree. This has been made a huge deal out of, blown out of proportion, in this case and in some similar cases in the news lately. It's surprising that people are so surprised that thieves will steal things off of private property. It's always a risk to get items delivered at home when you're not there to receive them. What I'm surprised about is how stupid the thieves are to think that technology won't trip them up.


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