Ever since moving to move to 4S Ranch in early 2000,
we have heard less and less barking and yelping of 
coyotes and their
pups who roam our canyons and open areas. When our kids were small and
we had a puppy, the frequent nighttime yelping and barking made us
vigilant. We were alert for the coyotes because of the danger to our
children and pets. The advantages of coyotes as potential adversaries,
is they are easily recognizable and are also generally predictable. They
never attack members of their own pack and each evening they are on a
quest in search of food.
coyotes and their
pups who roam our canyons and open areas. When our kids were small and
we had a puppy, the frequent nighttime yelping and barking made us
vigilant. We were alert for the coyotes because of the danger to our
children and pets. The advantages of coyotes as potential adversaries,
is they are easily recognizable and are also generally predictable. They
never attack members of their own pack and each evening they are on a
quest in search of food.
In
the first few years of 4S Ranch and Del Sur,we were on the edge of San
Diego's urban sprawl. The unstoppable march of humans which brings
asphalt, businesses, homes, and needed schools over the previous
rolling, pristine hills of San Diego. A close friend who assists
builders in developments jokes, "I own a pave the world, not save the
world company". All joking aside, he is saving the world in that he
assists builders accomplish their projects properly with sensitivity to
the environment.
Maybe
It has just been too hot lately, but I have not heard a single bark or
yelp of a coyote in over two weeks. But, I have heard and seen things
recently which are more frightening to us and our family then a pack of
wild coyotes. our newest predator is part of urban sprawl. Unlike
coyotes, it attacks members of their own pack, frequently late at night.
This predator is harder to identify. It is the worst kind of predator
because you might actually see it and not even know it is a threat,
until it s too late. After all, this predator is one of us. He or she
is human.
I
became concerned when I received a call from a friend this past week.
"There is crime scene tape surrounding a home on 4S Ranch Parkway, south
of Camino Del Norte. I saw a woman crying in the front yard". Nothing
in the local newspaper. Nothing on the news, so I did some checking. A
young man had tragically passed away in the home and SDSO Homicide
Detectives are evaluating the circumstances. It may likely be
accidental. Time will tell.
When I queried further, it seems we aren't any longer, "sleepy 4S Ranch". In the last ten days, two commercial, "wind
ow
smash burglaries" occurred in 4S Village and 4S Commons Shopping
Centers. In police vernacular a window smash burglary is when an idiot
criminal throws a rock through a very expensive plate glass window of a
local business, rushes in and steals anything they can get their hands
on and quickly runs out. Fast, effective, and of course, stupid.
ow
smash burglaries" occurred in 4S Village and 4S Commons Shopping
Centers. In police vernacular a window smash burglary is when an idiot
criminal throws a rock through a very expensive plate glass window of a
local business, rushes in and steals anything they can get their hands
on and quickly runs out. Fast, effective, and of course, stupid.
In
addition, both inside and outside of LA Fitness there has been frequent
thefts from both cars and lockers. Criminal activity in our area has
not been limited to commercial locations which is apparent by an upswing
in theft related crimes in our local parks.
These
crimes led to a local shop owner to post a sign on her window that
says, "No cash on premises. Alarm and video surveillance". I hate the
sign. I understand why the 4S Ranch business owner did it. I don't blame
her. It is a plea or warning to the burglar not to make them the next
victim after, T Mobile who lost phones, and Pu
re
Barre fitness who lost a cash register and an Apple desktop computer. I
don't like the sign for another reason. If we as local residents do not
help identify criminal activity or other people attacking us, and if
the Sheriff's Department does not do their part of investigating and
arresting our local criminials, we will transition to a siege mentality
that exists in other neighborhoods. You will be seeing more of those
signs as well as more metal grates that roll down inside the glass to
protect the contents of business. .
re
Barre fitness who lost a cash register and an Apple desktop computer. I
don't like the sign for another reason. If we as local residents do not
help identify criminal activity or other people attacking us, and if
the Sheriff's Department does not do their part of investigating and
arresting our local criminials, we will transition to a siege mentality
that exists in other neighborhoods. You will be seeing more of those
signs as well as more metal grates that roll down inside the glass to
protect the contents of business. .
I visited Kara, who is the owner of Purr Barre Fitness Studio in 4S Ranch soon after the burglary. She looked tired 
and
I know it wasn't from the exceptional fitness classes she teaches. It
was personal. Small business is a daily struggle. When you and your
staff are working so hard and something like this happens it is the
proverbial, "punch in the gut". I felt bad for her. So, here is my idea.
and
I know it wasn't from the exceptional fitness classes she teaches. It
was personal. Small business is a daily struggle. When you and your
staff are working so hard and something like this happens it is the
proverbial, "punch in the gut". I felt bad for her. So, here is my idea.
If
you want to tighten your buns, tone your belly, or strengthen your
arms, or simply improve your overall health, go see Kara at Pure Barre
Fitness. Tell her, "I hate crooks", and then purchase some fitness
classes from her. After the recent expense of replacing the plate glass
window and the stolen items, she could use the money and even more
importantly it will give her some good mojo. Unlike T-Mobile, she cannot
pass on the unexpected expense to a few hundred thousand shareholders.
As
we look forward, how do we keep the community and our residents safe as
we face these new challenges? The biggest thing we can all do is to
communicate more with each other to include school administrators,
teachers, neighbors, religious groups, and law enforcement. Don't leave
high value items in plain view. And maybe, just maybe, SDSO should step
up their game and fully staff their new sub station in our local
community? I think we pay enough taxes and it is a reasonable request.
After
all, unlike coyotes, we need their experience, and skills to identify
our newest predators. Neither of us can be successful going it alone any
longer. Help out. "Our pack" people that want a safe, vibrant and
peaceful community to raise our kids.
Enjoy your week with your family.
Ray & Theresa Shay
Copyright 2012 All Rights Reserved. No duplication of this material without written consent of Shay Realtors.
