Burglary meeting draws crowd

Law authorities hear concerns of local residents

More than 100 people crowded into a “Crime Prevention Town Hall” at the county fairgrounds on Monday night in response to what authorities are calling a rise in residential burglaries in Del Norte County.

Audience members were given the opportunity to share burglary concerns before being addressed by local law enforcement officials.

Many speakers talked about their rights if confronted by a burglar in their home. Authorities disseminated information about suspects and their vehicles while encouraging residents to band together and watch for suspicious activity.

Ted Scott, a longtime Del Norter, said he’s never seen as much criminal activity as he has in recent years.

“I’ve been hit three times. Don’t bother calling 911. Call 9-millimeter,” said Scott, referring to a possible armed response to burglars.

The crowd clapped and laughed as Scott spoke, and some others shared his sentiments during their time at the microphone.

A local woman who lives in the Washington Park area said she recently saw what she thought to be an attempted burglary during the evening by people dressed in dark clothing.

Local resident Bob Rice said citizens should “be a presence” in their neighborhoods by honking their car horns and shining their headlights on someone suspicious lurking around a house.

County Supervisor Martha McClure said her house has been recently burglarized three times, but she has only reported it once because after the first break-in authorities offered to search for fingerprints but also stated it probably wouldn’t help.

“I want a coordinated effort because I feel we’re under siege,” said McClure, calling on all local and state law enforcement agencies in the county.

County Supervisor Gerry Hemmingsen also showed personal concern over burglaries that are happening near his neighborhood.

“There’s a lot of these people out and about that are known,” said Hemmingsen, adding it would be helpful “if we could get pictures of these people so we know who we’re looking for.”

When authorities do make arrests, criminals are being booked and released shortly afterward or are not getting long enough sentences, some people said.

“I would like to say our laws are good, but they’re not being enforced enough,” said Bill DeBacker, referring to what he perceived as short sentences for people committing property crimes.

Representatives from the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office  followed the public comment period, addressing some of the concerns and calling for neighbors to come together to take back their community.

“If you think about the ’50s, everybody knew each other and that needs to come back,” said sheriff’s Commander Tim Athey.

He informed the crowd that four people suspected of committing property crimes were in jail Monday because neighbors were watching out for each other and alerted law enforcement when they saw something suspicious.

Athey advocated more Neighborhood Watch groups, or at least better communication with neighbors and anyone seen walking around.

A simple hello could be all that it takes to make a criminal nervous, Athey said.

“That’s what they are looking for; does anybody in this neighborhood care?” said Athey. “People need to step up and say, ‘This is my neighborhood and that’s not going to happen anymore.’”

He also addressed the issue of shooting someone who enters a residence and is a threat by saying — whether it’s legally justified or not — the emotional and mental impact could be devastating.

“Don’t get hurt, but don’t jump the gun,” said Athey.

People who call 911 should be as descriptive as possible when telling the dispatcher where a crime is being committed, especially in the rural areas where addresses aren’t as readily iden­ti-

fiable, Athey said.

Traditionally, this is the time of year when property crimes increase, Athey said, adding that much of the property being stolen is getting taken out of the county, which makes it harder to track down.

Sheriff’s Commander Bill Steven, who oversees operations at the Del Norte County Jail, addressed concerns about a perceived lack of keeping criminals behind bars.

Financial restraints require a  cap of about 110 inmates in jail, so he has to make decisions on who to release and keep based on  variables including the severity of the crimes that were committed, Steven said.

“We do our best to decide who stays or who goes,” said Steven.

He also explained that people who are arrested for property crimes aren’t always mandated to stay in jail until an arraignment or bail hearing; that is based on the crimes they were arrested on and whether they presented a threat to someone.

He shared with the audience that the Sheriff’s Office will be upgrading its website to  display basic inmate information including mug shots and offenses.

District Attorney Jon Alexander said recent burglary cases have been related to methamphetamine.

“We’re mad as hell and we’re tired of taking it,” said Alexander.

He shared a different stance than Athey about someone shooting a person invading a home, although he didn’t encourage it.

“I’ve got no problem with you taking extreme action,” said Alexander, adding that his office would back the homeowner if the action was reasonable.

Deputy Attorney General Brian Newman agreed with Alexander about the burglaries being connected to drugs.

“Almost all of the crime in this county is related to drug addiction,” said Newman.

Another meeting about crime prevention was scheduled for Thursday at the Lake Earl Grange at 6820 Lake Earl Drive in Fort Dick to inform the public about proper weapons handling, how to log and protect household items, and address questions from the first town hall meeting in further detail.