Thousand Oaks Hardly a Safe City

Four years ago, we moved from Boulder, Colo., to Thousand Oaks. We chose T.O. because statistics show it is the “safest city” in the nation. I have seen articles about this in your newspaper every year. I was very proud to be in T.O. and didn’t install a security system. On the first of April I there was a burglary in my home. All my jewelry and watches are gone. On top of that, the burglar charged my account to purchase an airline ticket (my credit cards are not stolen though).

I am surprised at how inefficient the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is. In this country, the Justice Department can spend millions of taxpayers’ dollars to prosecute people like O.J. Simpson. But it does not have time and technology for common people like us. The Sheriff’s Department only cares for high-profile cases so it can be on the front page of the newspaper.

I do not feel safe in Thousand Oaks anymore. People should not be fooled by the gimmick of “safest city.” Safest city doesn’t mean that people are safe.

Thank you for your report on crime prevention in the May 4 newspaper. I wish you would have published this report before.

ANINDITA SAMANTA

Thousand Oaks