(Feb. 11, 2007, updated Feb. 12 ) -- LBReport.com has learned that on Feb. 8 two cars were burglarized in the 3300 block of Val Verde Ave. (area of Newcomb Academy) during an evening meeting of the El Dorado Estates Homeowners Association...during which one of the speakers was 5th district Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske.
Veteran area realtor Shirley Saltman, who attended the meeting, told LBReport.com that someone came into the room, told the meeting attendees what had taken place...and Councilwoman Schipske phoned the police.
LBPD Public Information Officer Juan Gomez (working from preliminary information) told LBReport.com that officers responded to the 3300 block of Val Verde at about 8:10 p.m. and found what appeared to be auto burglaries involving at least two victims. (Information is sketchy pending formal reports; we'll update this page as we learn more.)
The neighborhood crimes left Councilwoman Schipske concerned and outraged...and come amid attention by her in City Council and Committee items to police staffing and personnel issues.
[Update Feb. 12] LBPD Public Information Officer Jason Evans says both cars were locked...and the windows on both cars were broken.
Meanwhile, LBReport.com has also learned of some recent auto burglaries in the Naples area, Naples Neighborhood Watch Coordinator/Naples Improvement Ass'n boardmember Walker Stafford says a resident reports that three auto burglaries occurred on Giralda Walk on or about Feb. 7...and another car was broken into in the area of Angelo and Naples Plaza.
Ms. Stafford says the recent crimes come after after a recent crime drop in November, December and January which she attributes to residents becoming more viligant and LBPD being visible with quick responses.
[Comment: We're sure there have been other auto burglaries elsewhere and other neighborhood crimes that we don't know about. LB crime data is less accessible here than in L.A. and some other cities. Watch for separate coverage on this coming shortly on LBReport.com.]
