My car was broken into last night - someone broke through the window to get in. Surprisingly, a police officer brought it to my attention - he was patroling the neighborhood because Sonoma Ranch has had 3 recent instances of car break ins. Why haven't residents been informed?? In talking with neighbors, there have been instances in which alarms have gone off in the middle of the night as well - could this be related? Shouldn't residents be informed if there is a potential danger?

Breakins are Epidemic in area

In every Board Brief the Board sends out, there is a note to set your alarms, lock your cars and put them in your garages because the gates sytems are not meant to provide security. The police and sheriffs can't prevent crime and neither can the Homeowners Association but we can warn you to protect your property and I make a special effort to do that. Because of the climate of vandalism and theft which is rampant in San Antonio, as noted in the Evening News every night, what more warning would a person need to take special precautions. Was your car in the garage? Even if you put it in the garage, be sure to turn off your opener system because thieves have universal garage remotes. The problem is not specific to Sonoma Ranch. Stone Oak is a big target and other communities suffer from the same type of crime. It is also in the newspapers. It would be a great idea if there were some Neighborhood Watch groups started in Sonoma Ranch. The Association is not able to do this because the individual homeowners must be involved. How about you starting this program in your neighborhood and getting your neighbors involved. This may help prevent some of the break ins and other crimes of opportunity. The San Antonio Police patrol Kyle Seale Parkway since it is a city street and often enter Sonoma Ranch although the subdivision has not been annexed into the City yet. We appreciate their work. The Sheriff's Dept is spread very thin but many law enforcement people live in Sonoma Ranch. I have asked the Chair of the Landscape and Safety Committee to split up his committee and get some of these people to serve on the Safety Committee to come up with other means to protect the area but it will take residents getting involved to make it happen. I hope you feel strongly enough to get something started.

Alarms Going Off

Just a sidebar about alarms going off during the night. I managed a property where thieves would walk along the back fences and throw rocks at the houses and wait to see if an alarm went off or lights went on. If not, it was ripe for picking. If they did, they would run off and try the next place. Since we have many homes which back up to green belts and creek beds, this is a potential reason for house alarms to be investigated if they go off mysteriously. Someone eventually recognized the pattern and caught the thieves in the act and they were young men 15 to 17. Crime starts young nowadays.

Car Break Ins

Craig,

My car was also broken onto around the same time. I reported it to the Dragon lady at the HOA and she proceeded to lecture us on how we need to lock the car, crime is everywhere, etc.. Judging by her responses to your post I think the break ins were not reported because it is our fault and there is no need to alert the neighbors because if we park in the garage there will not be anymore problems. I am aware of at least 3 other break ins in the Springs and one in the Summit.