Burglaries Climb Sharply Over ’99

Residential burglaries are up sharply here, with 13 through May 31 compared with four for all of 1999, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The community’s generally low crime rate may have given residents a false sense of security, said Capt. John O’Brien of the sheriff’s Lost Hills station.

“People get comfortable,” he said. “They leave their garage doors wide open or don’t lock their doors at night. I’ve had deputies knocking on people’s doors at 3 a.m. to tell residents their garage doors are open.

But City Councilwoman Betty De Santis noted that with only four burglaries last year, it doesn’t take much to post a 300% increase.

“The percentage for increase in residential burglaries is very high,” De Santis said. “In a small community like Westlake Village, nine more burglaries can seem like a lot. But in essence, the overall numbers are still low.”

Numbers aside, resident Joan Davidson echoed the sentiments of many.

“I feel very safe, but I do lock my doors and turn on alarms,” said Davidson, 54. “I’ve lived in Westlake Village for 26 years. Other than the recent rash of bank robberies, which were in Thousand Oaks anyway, Westlake Village as a community is entirely safe. It’s one of the safest in the country. I’m very happy here.”