It will be interesting to see how well the license plate readers help the investigation.

Web Link

Nah, ALPR's won't help. They scared away out-of-towners, so it must be internal.

I'm sure they're halfway solved by now, given all the technology.

"Use paper plates, stolen plates or alter existing plates before heading into the area."

From the book: How to easily defeat a super expensive APLR system.

Sherriff's office Step up patrols *after* a series of burglaries... And Atherton wants to get rid of the PD?

Someone, eventually, will be shot ... perp and/or resident. Just a matter of time

Shot? How many guns are in PV?

How many are brought in by Outsiders??

Eventually we'll all be shot.

In CA it is lawful to shoot trespassers on your property if you feel threatened.

I would be concerned if I was one of the perps, especially considering how much people are on edge here after recent events.

It’s about time for Portola Valley to establish our own police force.

With what I would expect to be a pretty high number of residential burglaries in the bay area, when was the last time someone was shot? It certainly hasn't happened here or in surrounding cities that I can ever remember, but I'm sure there are a few rare sprinklings of it happening. It's certainly not an expected or inevitable outcome.

Why would PV be any different from all the other towns and cities where this is going on and people aren't getting shot? It's definitely POSSIBLE, but given how many times it factually happens(more like doesn't happen), the odds extremely low.

Neighbors with guns are more likely to harm themselves or a loved one than use it in self defense.

Brookie - 11x more likely to harm an innocent than an intruder.

Makes NO logical sense, given facts. Completely emotional decision.

The San Mateo County sheriff's office sent out a county-wide alert yesterday warning locals "Do not take the law into your own hands". I wonder which internet forums they have been reading???

Residents have the lawful right to shoot intruders. The sheriff should not be discouraging that.

The perps need to realize they are in our town...

Observer:

You need to do some research and reading and probably talk to an attorney. Your blanket statement is wrong. Go ahead, shoot an "intruder" and see what happens.

Observer - you are historically 11 times more likely to shoot yourself or a loved one than an intruder.

Shouldn't that be a higher concern than the rarity of shooting an intruder, real or perceived?

Menlo voter, if it is self defense it is justified (if on your own property).

Uh, Observer -- not so fast.

You might want to check what California law has to say about that:

Web Link

Whoah Nellie...all these pointers on legal hypothetical, when we know it is far more likely that the gun nut will hurt himself or someone in his house than shoot a phantom boogieman?

Furthermore, I encourage residents when they have spare time to drive around looking for these criminals. We’ve gotta catch them before this gets worse. Whenever I see suspicious people I ask what they’re doing, usually it’s just workers or gardeners looking for a home address (I verify this by asksing what company name and phone #), but probably 1 in 100 will be the perp... worth a shot

Now *that* is funny! I can't imagine how a typical PV'er decides who might be "suspicious"!

What could possibly be your first "clue"?

Carl, it’s generally people who are loitering around or driving slowly. This is usually how they care houses. I don’t know what you’re implying but it’s pretty easy to tell who’s legitimate and who doesn’t belong.

"people who are loitering around or driving slowly"

Folks - sit on a corner and look carefully, and honestly, at who may be driving slowly, or loitering.

Heck, everyone looking down at a screen is guilty of that - walking or driving.

Wonder what other clues are used by our brave vigilante? Who is "worth a shot"?