Staff Reports Walnut – Ten burglaries were reported in the City of Walnut, and that was just last week. Are they all related and some sort of an anomaly, or has Assembly Bill 109 really proven to increase our crime rates and put citizens in jeopardy? The Little Hoover Commission, an independent state agency designed to investigate state government operations, states that crime is trending upward. In Los Angeles County, the Sheriff’s August 31, 2013 crime statistics show burglaries in Walnut have increased 63% (from 73 to 119); and grand theft auto is up 65% (from 17 to 28). Just a few months later, LASD statistics say 184 burglaries have been reported year to date, up from 107 at this time last year. With AB109, the prison realignment assembly bill signed by Governor Jerry Brown, over 43,000 prisoners are now serving time in local jails instead of state prisons, and due to overcrowding, some “low risk” offenders are being released early to county parole officers. Some Walnut residents expressed concern at the City Council meeting on November 13, and the City Council is reportedly gathering information on the number of prison releases to the area to see if there is any correlation. One such resident, Ray Ayers, a victim of one of last week’s burglaries, said that mailboxes on and around Walnut Canyon Road have been broken into over the last month, and now the houses have been broken into in the same area. “Ours was a forced entry using a crowbar. Our next door neighbor’s son was home when the attempted burglary was done, and our neighbors across the street came home to find their door wide open from a forced entry,” said Ayer’s wife. “Another neighbor told us that a burglary occurred up the street from her as well.” Ayer’s wife further stated that it took 45 minutes for the sheriff to come to their home. When the investigating detective returned the next day to fingerprint, she mentioned there were seven other homes burglarized that she had to print. Violent crimes may have decreased, according to LASD statistics, but property crime is up. Ayers says “It’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.” Now, more than ever, Neighborhood Watch programs are critical. The Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station is committed to helping organize this program throughout their jurisdiction, with 70 programs already in effect. A neighborhood working together can make a difference. To set up a Watch in your neighborhood, or partner to prevent or report a crime, contact the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff’s Station at (909) 595-2264 or (626) 913-1715. If you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
