Security cameras have been in the news lately when they recorded criminal activity. Some video footage was virtually worthless as in the case of a jewelry store robbery where the cameras were of poor quality and positioned such that their view was essentially useless.  Others were crystal clear as when a young man was dragged out of a store and murdered.

Thieves have been targeting wireless security cameras at Linwood Washington homes.  It is possible to remove wireless cameras from their mountings and get away with an intact camera which can be sold or used by the thief.  Wired security cameras are usually more difficult for thieves to remove without damage.

One easily removable camera which comes to mind is the Arlo by Netgear with its magnetic base.  Thieves recently stole an Arlo camera in Linwood by knocking it loose from its magnetic mount with a broom.

Both Dav Eide and I have been victims of camera thefts, but in our case the cameras were wired models which were destroyed when the thieves removed them from their mountings.

If you have cameras it is wise to place them where it is difficult for thieves or vandals to get to them and if possible have cameras positioned so that people approaching them are in view of another camera.

Below is a link to the KIRO Chanel 7 news report on the Lynnwod thefts.

https://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/thieves-target-security-cameras-at-lynnwood-homes/781879134

This week I got a call from a friend in Louisiana.  My friend’s sister and her husband were in a very bad accident when, on a four lane highway, an 18 year old male hit their car from behind and both cars rolled.  They will be in the hospital for a while. Their relatives and friends have been posting on Facebook about the accident and the fact that my friends will not be home for some time. On 20 June I got another call telling me that their home had been burglarized.  Someone threw a brick through a window and climbed in. They left with the family silverware and jewelry in one of the pillowcases they took from the linen closet.

Please everyone hear this –  DO NOT POST ON FACEBOOK OR OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA SITES  THAT YOUR HOME WILL BE VACANT FOR EXTENDED PERIODS.  The bad guys look for just such information, just like they read the obituaries to find out who has died and when the funeral is going to be. If you are going to be gone, and the information is public knowledge, you owe it to yourself to also let it be known that there will be someone living at your home until you get back (whether this is true or not). It is also a good idea to let some trusted neighbors know when you will be gone and when you expect to return.

This week Bad Guys driving a White Honda with a Black hood entered Shawnee Ridge around Midnight and stole a package from the doorstep of a house on 111th St. Court E.  The vehicle was seen on cameras from two houses in the area and working backward from the information provided we were able to positively identify them as having license plate AAK 0463.  Vehicles using this license plate have been identified in several incidents of theft and vandalism in our area.  Police report that they do not have an address connected with that license plate and it is presumably stolen.  Two of the case reports associated with this vehicle are #  1730100721 and # 1808501544 (or it might be 18045014544, the Deputy’s writing is unclear)   .

Because this incident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office as a repeat incident involving the same vehicle license plate, a Sheriff’s Deputy was sent out to take a report.  Unfortunately the home from which the package was stolen did not have cameras, so there was no direct evidence that the people driving the Honda (AAK 0463) were responsible for the theft.  All the Deputy could do was take a general report.

This incident did show that cooperation by neighbors who have cameras works.  We were able to identify the vehicle and get its license plate because we had pictures of the vehicle and a definite time it was in the Neighborhood. When more people have cameras, everyone benefits.

For a look at previous post about this license plate see: Tis the Season “to have your packages stolen”  &  –ALERT– Recent Suspicious/Criminal Activity In Our Neighborhood.

Our Shawnee Ridge neighborhood is occasionally visited by a group of young men
who are “trike drifter” enthusiasts. (check it on google and YouTube) They bring their
homemade tricycles to the top of the cul-de-sac on 111th Street Court East, mount up,
and go down 111th St Ct E, turn right on Shawnee Ridge Rd, turn left on 136th Ave E,
turn right on Jennifer Ct E, spin out in the cul de sac.
This last Sunday, January 14, they showed up for their joy ride around 12:30pm. An
SUV dropped off 3 or 4 young adult men and 3 or 4 children, all wearing helmets, and
all with these trikes. I confronted them as I have the previous times and tried to
convince them how dangerous their activity is.
This is the 4th time in 4 years I have witnessed them coming to our neighborhood to
“trike drift”. What they are doing is very dangerous, for them, and, in my opinion,
potentially very dangerous to pedestrians and bystanders. These “trikes” are built with
a wide wheel base and low to the ground. It is almost impossible for cars to see them
approaching intersections and bends in the road because of their low profile as they are
coasting downhill as fast as they can. Parked cars along Shawnee Ridge Rd create
blind spots along that stretch. They seem to have very little capability to slow or stop
quickly, and they do not, probably cannot, yield the right of way to vehicles, bicycles, nor
pedestrians.
They also disregard common sense when they are shuttling “trike” riders to the top of
our street. One time, 2 of the riders were in the trunk of a small car with their legs
draped over the handle bars of the “trikes” towing them to the top of the hill. Another
time, 5 or 6 men and their trikes were in the back of a pickup truck.
This most recent occurrence is the first time I’ve seen children involved. It was hard
to guess ages with helmets on, but they looked no taller than 10 year old children. The
driver of the shuttle car said 2 were her children. I could not convince her how
dangerous and irresponsible this was.
They insist what they are doing is legal, but doing only 2 or 3 quick rides and then
leaving speaks otherwise. They come in to the neighborhood fairly quietly and leave
rather quickly. Most people don’t notice them unless they happen to be outside. I am
done talking to these people, especially now that they have young children involved.
They do not care what you think and will let you know it. They are going to do what they
want ….. unless law enforcement is involved. I urge anyone observing this activity in
our neighborhood to call 911, tell them that a group of people are “trike drifting” down
our streets, that they are acting in a reckless manner and being a danger to others, that
they have done this in our neighborhood several times before, and, based on previous
encounters, they will only be here for approximately 20 minutes.
Jay Kennon
13725 111th Street Ct E.

Some of the “Trike” riders and their tow vehicle. License Number AMN 3334

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