By Robin Goldsworthy

Like most of you, I feel fortunate to live here. We enjoy award winning schools, beautiful foothills and a caring community. This is particularly evident by the support for the family of Joo Lee who was killed by a hit and run driver on New Year’s Day.

Not only was Mr. Lee’s family emotionally devastated but financially as well. A memorial fund was established and foothill residents have donated thousands of dollars to it. Even students at Crescenta Valley High School have helped by soliciting donations outside local grocery stores and planning a car wash. Note that the carwash has been postponed to March 13 due to weather.

Not nearly as devastating but troubling nonetheless are a couple of occurrences that my family has experienced over the past several months.

Over a year ago my son parked his truck on the street in front of our house in La Crescenta. Getting up in the morning to head to work, he found that his car window had been removed – not broken but actually removed from the frame – and the contents of the truck cab gone through. He lost his computer and some other valuable paperwork.

This past fall there was a pack of three older boys – of driving age – who were phishing our neighborhood in the middle of the night. They were walking down the street at about 1 a.m., trying the door handles of all the cars to see if any were unlocked. If they found any open, it’s assumed that they would take whatever they could. Thankfully my neighbor’s son – a football player – caught the little turds before they did any damage, scaring them off.

Then my friend borrowed my car to run errands, one of which was to the post office. When she came out, she discovered that someone hit the front passenger bumper of my car, damaging it. No note, no one to claim responsibility.

I don’t drive a fancy car. I drive a 1992 Toyota Camry. But it really gets me mad that no one owned up to hitting the car.

Then Tuesday of this week, right here at the office of the newspaper, the car of one of my reporters was broken into and her purse stolen. She stopped at the office around 4:30 and left about 15 minutes later. She had parked in our parking lot on Honolulu Avenue, not on the street. Apparently, she was the victim of what is commonly called a “bash and grab.” The thieves spy something in a car that they want, quickly break the window, reach in and grab what they see. Thankfully there was little in her purse. She had her wallet, car keys and camera with her when she came in.

So, friends, what I suggest is that you lock those car doors and leave absolutely nothing in plain sight. There’s no telling who might be walking past your car.

Just a reminder that in the next week or two, we will only be delivering the paper to the homes of our subscribers. You’ll still have a chance to get the paper around town at no cost, but I urge you to support the CV Weekly and subscribe today. See page 6 for information or subscribe online at www.cvweekly.com.

  Crime, La Crescenta