Over 30 home burglaries have been reported in Green Valley Lake in the past four months. ROTWNEWS begins a series of articles about the spike in crime and what the community is doing about it. (File Photo)
By Michael P. Neufeld
Green Valley Lake, CA – Green Valley Lake bills itself as, “The Best Kept Secret in the San Bernardino Mountains.” But burglars have discovered more than a fully stocked lake with trout and bass. They’ve discovered that five out of six homes are vacant a great part of the year and have invited themselves to break in and rob the unoccupied homes.
In the last four months, the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station has logged over 30 home burglaries in Green Valley Lake, including seven reported in a recent week (February 24-March 2). Burglars are taking everything from flat screen televisions and tools to musical instruments and even six replica (inoperable) guns.
In many cases, the burglars are leaving doors and windows wide open. Deputies have also found items left behind including a prying tool. In one break-in, the thief or thieves left two bags of items on the front deck next to the front door. The property was recovered and the property owner identified the items and they were released to the victim.
SCARED AND FRUSTRATED
“People are scared and frustrated,” Green Valley Lake part-time resident Joan Christy told ROTWNEWS. “It’s gotten to the point that we have had a town meeting, started a Neighborhood Watch with cell captains and periodic cabin checks, started a NEXTDOOR Green Valley Lake website to keep all residents involved in what’s going on and contacted the Sheriff’s Department.
“The deputies at the Twin Peaks Station and Captain Rick Ells are well aware of what’s going on,” Christy stated. “but they just don’t have enough manpower to stop what is going on.”
Christy described the rash of residential burglaries as “an out of control crisis.” She explained that new security systems have been installed by many of her neighbors along with surveillance cameras. “Our small little community is being ruined by crime. ”
One resident who declined to be identified reports several individuals are suggesting vigilante methods including proposing the posting of SHOOT TO KILL signs in addition to the Neighborhood Watch signs.
TUESDAY – PART 2: Law Enforcement Response
(198)