UPD Discourages Parking In Remote Locations

Johanna Estrella, Staff Reporter

Johanna_Estrella@csumb.edu

April 7, 2008

A streak of car robberies has been reported recently at a popular, hidden parking spot near the U.S. Highway 1 underpass off of Divarty Street known as First Street Beach. The walk can be inviting for those wanting to relax and take a nice stroll by the sea; however, the broken car glass on the gravel, graffiti on the bridge, and the over all isolated area reminds people to park at their own risk.

Katie Brown, a former CSUMB student who has transfered out, had her 2000 Land Rover broken into about a month ago. Brown said she parked there for no more than two hours between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., but she returned to find both her purse and a pair of sentimental family earrings had been stolen. 

That same day, Human Communication (HCOM) Sophomore Reid Larson, left his 2003 Ford Escape unlocked with the sunroof open and suffered no damages. Brown was not as fortunate as Larson and now regrets having left her purse in plain sight on the passenger seat. 

Brown and Larson waited patiently into the evening after reporting the theft; although, it took more than two hours before officers arrived on scene. Because of the location the call was tossed between University Police Departments (UPD) and Marina and Seaside Departments, which was the cause for the delay. Officers later apologized for the miscommunication and wait time which Brown deemed excessive. 

Larson’s car was also present during another robbery that happened shortly after the first incident, yet still he incurred no damages. Larson said he hides his items of value in his car and has a removable stereo faceplate, strategies that seem to be paying off so far.

Although Brown and Larson have firsthand experience with these unfortunate events, they both agree that they do not feel unsafe on campus. They say that simple precautions like parking in populated areas or hiding valuables can easily increase student security.

When asked about the frequency of auto burglary on campus Lieutenant Earl Lawson of the UPD confirmed that only two incidents have been reported on campus in the past three months. One theft took place on Thomas court in the Schoonover apartments while the other took place in the baseball field parking lot. Because the First Street Beach lot does not fall under the jurisdiction of UPD the number of robberies that have taken place there are unknown. 

Lawson said that the First Street Beach lot is a terrible place to park because it is so remote, and although he understands the accessibility of the beach can be attractive to students without cars, he expressed that those with cars are probably better off going to recognized beaches with more populated parking lots. Lawson cautioned students from parking in remote areas and encourages students to refer to the UPD website for further tips.

For further car safety tips, refer to police.csumb.edu/site/x13043.xml