Arts & Services for Disabled Becomes Crime Victim Twice Within Two Days, Thieves Break-In, Steal iPads, MacBooks, Cash And More From Its 4th Dist. ART Center, 3600 block PCH (b/w Termino/Redondo)

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Arts & Services for Disabled Becomes Crime Victim Twice Within Two Days, Burglars Break-In, Steal iPads, MacBooks, Cash And More From Its 4th Dist. ART Center, 3600 block PCH (b/w Termino/Redondo)

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(March 16, 2015.) -- Arts and Services for the Disabled became another Long Beach crime statistic -- twice -- on two successive nights (Fri Mar. 13 and Sat. Mar 14) when burglars broke into its ART center in the 3600 block of PCH between Termino and Redondo Aves (4th Council district) and stole electronic equipment, computer items, cash and more.

On its website, the non-profit group states:

On March 13 and 14, burglars broke in at our ART Center in Long Beach. The thieves first broke the glass window wall and stole several iPads and MacBooks and $300 in cash. The next night they returned, shattered the glass front door, and stole our 46" television, as well as some additional tech equipment.

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Photo source: Arts & Services for the Disabled Facebook page

We are very fortunate that no one was present during the break ins and that none of our staff or students were injured or endangered.
The cost of repairing damages (twice) and replacing our stolen technology and devices is approximately $10,000. Because we were forced to cancel classes on Saturday and Monday, there will be an additional loss of approximately $2,000 in lost enrollment funding.
Cost to replace one iPad = $500
Cost to replace our 46" TV = $600
Cost to replace one MacBook laptop = $1,000

We are gratefully accepting contributions to assist us in replacing our lost equipment and revenue. We do have insurance, but it will not cover the entire cost, nor replace our lost enrollment funding.

LBREPORT.com notes that within the seven days prior to the Arts and Services for the Disabled burglaries, on March 7 a residential burglary [we presume at a motor lodge] occurred a block west (3500 block PCH) and two auto burglaries also occurred (predawn March 12, after dawn March 14) in the 3600 block of PCH.

Less than a month earlier, on February 18, a commercial burglary occurred in the 3600 block of PCH and on Feb. 19, an attempted auto burglary occurred in the same block.

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On Facebook, Arts and Services for the Disabled states:

We are disheartened to share that this past week we have faced 2 burglaries at our Long Beach site. The thieves first broke the glass window wall and stole several iPads and MacBooks and $300 in cash. The next night they returned, shattered the glass front door, and stole our 46" television, as well as some additional tech equipment.
We are very fortunate that no one was present during the break ins and that none of our staff or students were injured or endangered.
The cost of repairing damages (twice) and replacing our stolen technology and devices is approximately $10,000. Because we were forced to cancel classes on Saturday and Monday, there will be an additional loss of approximately $2,000 in lost enrollment funding.
Cost to replace one iPad = $500
Cost to replace our 46" TV = $600
Cost to replace one MacBook laptop = $1,000

We are gratefully accepting contributions to assist us in replacing our lost equipment and revenue. We do have insurance, but it will not cover the entire cost, nor replace our lost enrollment funding...
Thieves broke through two windows and doors, taking every single one of our laptops, iPads, cameras and other technologies that our resident artists rely on everyday. These tools have been instrumental to their creative expression and access to community.
Due to the extent of the damage and further investigations by the Long Beach Police Department], programs had to be cancelled today. While we feel so much loss and violation, we know we will get through this with the support of our community."

The group's website (which has a link for donations in the upper right portion of its front page) is www.artsandservices.org.

The group adds on its website:

The primary mission of Arts & Services for Disabled is to provide life-long learning, community service and career opportunities through the creative arts for people with disabilities in an environment of warmth, encouragement and respect...Arts & Services for Disabled offers full-time arts programming for adults with developmental disabilities The primary mission of Arts & Services for Disabled is to provide life-long learning, community service and career opportunities through the creative arts for people with disabilities in an environment of warmth, encouragement and respect...
We know our programs work. According to our tracking systems, 93% of our students have increased positive behaviors for at least one year’s duration. 96% of our students have successfully acquired or improved social interaction skills, and many have developed independent living skills. Our artistic endeavors are both consistent and successful. We have presented 21 public performances and 50 art exhibits during the past two years. 168 Arts & Services students have either won prizes, sold their art work or been accepted into public exhibits. These shows have been viewed by 81,957 people throughout California and across the nation. Whether measured in statistical terms or by more humanistic approaches, our programs are positive, effective, and 'people friendly.'"