Just as the winter wonderland has not deterred the shoplifters at QFC, unfortunately Scott’s scanner shut down and wish for holiday peace is no match for the criminal element in the CD.
Our house (18th between Union and Cherry) was robbed sometime between 2:30-4pm on Christmas Eve. We had gone out for last minute grocery run to Madison Market and returned to find our front door wide open–it had been smashed in/pried off the hinges with a snow shovel.
As usual, the MO appeared to be get in/get out. Although every room in the house showed evidence of been lightly rifled through, only small electronics were taken (two laptops, a camera, a cell phone). In a creepy holiday bonus, all of our Christmas presents were partially opened, but then left behind, as apparently neither nerd board games such as Carcassone or the sweater from my mother-in-law were what they were after. Most frustratingly, our book bags (one back pack and one messenger bag) were taken, presumably to have something to carry the laptops in, since I imagine they have little street value. However, they also had lots of papers representing hours and hours of work as well as much other cheap but hard replace flotsam of everyday life. Ugh.
We have lived here for 7 years, and been robbed before (in the summer, through a window), but this feels worse, I guess because the smashed in front door is so violating, and the whole what-a-sucky-thing-to-happen-at-Christmas angle. Enough to make one consider moving to less crime-ridden part of town. Nevertheless, Christmas has come just the same, and I remind myself of all the things we love about our location, including some great neighbors and a cool neighborlog. So keep those alarms set folks, and enjoy your roast beast today.
Santa knows who’s been naughty and nice. Sorry to hear that the criminal element hasn’t taken the holidays off.
So sorry to hear about the break in. That’s pretty brash to smash the front door open. We got done (for the 2nd time in 3 1/2 years) just before Thanksgiving, but they were kind enough to break in by the back door. Hope you manage to have a good Christmas anyway!
So sad for you and hope the creeps are found quickly. Stay warm and try to enough the holiday.
Sorry to hear about the break-in. I must live within a couple blocks of you and probably walk past your house every day on my way to work. I’ll use this as a reminder to keep my eyes open and report if I ever see suspicious activity.
Does anyone have good recommendations of affordable, easy-to-install security cameras? If anyone gets camera footage of these guys, we’d definitely be interested in posting them on this site.
By the way are you on the central neighborhood association email list? It seems to be run by/for people near union street
http://groups.google.com/group/centralna?hl=en
I walk by there so often too. It wasn’t too dark (although raining) at the time, thats pretty bold since so many people are at home this week so what if a neighbor happened to walk out or something?
Funny enough this is the first year I can remember(since 2001 at this address)that there were NOT any car prowls on our block on Christmas Eve. Our neighbors got hit a few days ago though. 27th between Marion and Columbia.
You can install a pretty cheap security system that will make a lot of noise when somebody tries to get in. There are a bunch of kits which don’t require you to install wires, but all door contacts, motion detectors and glass break detectors are monitored wirelessly. They all come with really loud sirens and can be monitored for about $10 a month through discount monitoring companies (don’t go with anything that’s monitored by name brand companies like Brinks, since they are way too expensive and not any better than what $10 will get you a month). Search for “DSC security kit” on ebay (there are a bunch of other reliable brands too.)
Costco has a good wireless system cheap.
27th Avenue South & South Washington Street: At least 2 cars, our Yukon and a neighbor’s Cherokee, broken into Christmas Eve early morning – typical smash-and-grab… Merry Christmas to all on the site, love the site and comments!!
The questions I always ask when I read about burglaries:
1. Do you have a well-advertised alarm system for your house?
2. If yes, was it armed when you were burglarized?
I put a lot of faith in my alarm system (all windows and doors, glass break sensors, reinforced glass, armor coated windows and doors), and set it even if just dashing to the store. Ever since installing it, I have not had a problem. What I wonder is, does this really deter burglars? It’s hard to prove why something DOESN’T happen, i.e. no further burglaries at my house.
I am sorry to hear about another neighborhood bust in. It’s scary, upsetting and so very violating. I did come home on Dec 24th to find suspicious, large foot prints going around the side of my house, where they stopped and came back. It doesn’t take Encyclopedia Brown to know they weren’t mine and didn’t belong.