Full Notification

Citizen Advisory - Vandalism and Unlawful Entries into Motor Vehicles

The Police Department is taking numerous reports this morning relating to a series of incidents that occurred over night. Several unlocked cars were entered and rummaged through, had substances squirted on the interior or exteriors, or had minor items stolen from the interiors; landscape rocks were removed from a residence and deposited at another; at least one landscape plant was pulled out of the ground; at least one landscape statute was tipped over; and a metal porch chair was removed from a porch and placed on top of a vehicle. Officers on patrol noticed and advised citizens of the incidents as they came across them during their patrols; in other incidents residents discovered them this morning and contacted the Police Department. Last week the Police Department responded to several reports where residents had their outside water valves turned on overnight.

Extra patrols have been being conducted and will continue to be carried out during the overnight hours in response to these incidents, including Reserve Officers on patrol. Officers will be looking for and stopping suspicious persons and vehicles. Curfew violations will be issued. Residents, who are an excellent resource for the Police Department in terms of being additional eyes and ears in the community, are requested to call the Police Department if they see people out on foot during the late night hours or hear anything suspicious. The cars that were entered were unlocked. Residents should make sure they lock their cars and secure any valuables. Anything of value should be removed from vehicles and stored elsewhere.

The incidents overnight appear to have occurred after midnight and before 4 AM. Parents should know where their children are over night and what they are doing. During one weekend in March of 2013 dozens of cars were entered throughout the City. Several people were identified and charged with felonies in those cases. Entering a car without permission and stealing any item no matter what the value is a crime; entering a car and spreading substances on the inside that damage a vehicle is a crime; spreading substances on the exterior of a vehicle that cause damage is a crime; entering a car and rummaging through it looking for something to steal no matter what it’s value is a crime; stealing landscape rocks and damaging landscaping is a crime. Parents of juveniles who commit such crimes could be held liable for damages.

The following represents some of the reports that have been taken this morning; it is not an all inclusive list as incidents are continuing to be found and or reported:

Church Street – one unlocked vehicle entered and ketchup packets squirted inside; lotion squirted on the exterior. Another unlocked vehicle entered, rummaged through - change and sunscreen stolen.

Morning Glory – landscape brick from another location found in basketball hoop causing minor damage. It appears the rock was removed from another residence on the same street, as a report came in that several landscape rocks were stolen from that location. An unlocked vehicle was entered and rummaged through – nothing missing.

Cherry Street – vehicle was found with some kind of substance on the windshield that owner reported was not coming off. An unlocked vehicle was entered, rummaged through, and the owner’s manual appears to be missing.

Lewis Street – a plant was uprooted and a landscape statue toppled over. Another complainant reported this morning that their landscape lights were stolen June 13th.

Argyle Crescent – two unlocked vehicles were entered, rummaged through - nothing appears to be missing from either.

Primrose – a metal chair was removed from a porch and placed on a car parked in the street; no damage to the vehicle.

Everett – unlocked vehicle entered, rummaged through, gas cap found open – owner concerned gas may have been stolen.

Daisy Lane – complainant reports this morning that two nights ago their unlocked vehicle was entered, rummaged through, and some change was stolen.

Below is the Ordinance related to curfew violations for reference:

Sec. 13-25. Curfew for minors.
(a)
It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to loiter, idle, congregate or otherwise be in or on any public street, highway, alley, park or any public place, between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m., or minors fifteen (15) years of age or under from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., immediately following, except where the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or some adult above twenty-one (21) years of age delegated by the parent or guardian to accompany such child, or where the presence of such minor in such place or places is connected with and required by some legitimate work, trade, profession or occupation in which such minor is engaged, or where such minor is upon an emergency errand or other legitimate business directed by his parent or guardian. The provisions of this subsection do not apply when going to or coming from a legitimate church, municipal or school function or returning from the theater with the permission of the parent, guardian or other adult person having the care and custody of the minor.
(b)
Any person assisting, aiding, abetting or encouraging any minor under the age of seventeen (17) years to violate the provisions of subsection (a), shall be guilty of violation of this section, and when any minor is found violating the provisions of subsection (a), a presumption shall arise that the parent or legal guardian having the care and custody of the minor assisted, aided, abetted and encouraged such minor in so violating subsection (a).
(c)
The parent or guardian of the minor child shall be held responsible for the enforcement of subsections (a) and (b).
(d)
Any parent or guardian found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section shall be punished in accordance with section 1-8. Any minor violating the provisions of this section shall be dealt with in accordance with juvenile court law and procedure.

(Ord. No. C.O. 82-9, § 1, 10-12-82)