The sheriff who responded to the call said it’s constant at that city lot where our rental RAV4 had the rear window smashed in as well as the In&Out Burger lot next door. Sadly S had his backpack with his wallet, jacket and laptop stolen. We had just picked him up at the aoñirport abd wanted to take him to the hotel but he wanted to eat at Millbrae. We aren’t eating there again until they fix the epidemic of car burglaries! We were only in the restaurant 30 minutes!
The officer says it’s a problem everywhere, especially since they lowered penalties for drugs from felonies to misdemeanors.
Friend’s son works at major car rental company at SFO. They rent well over 1000+ cars a day…and average about 60 a day that have had smash and grab damage. 1800 damaged cars a month! There has been a major increase in this crime since penalties were lowered.
We do not leave anything in cars when in SF. Lots of residents have even resorted to leaving cars unlocked in hopes that thieves will not smash windows…
Sorry for your son’s loss. It’s a major PIA to deal with lost ID/credit cards/data, etc…
So sorry to hear about the break in. I was so surprised the first time I visited friends after they moved to San Francisco. I kept seeing lots of glass on the streets and cars with cardboard and plastic for windows. The smash and grab is a HUGE problem in the Bay area. They don’t even leave sunglasses or phone wires visible in their car when they park it.
This just happened in the driveway of my step-daughter and her mother’s cars. One of the cars was locked and broken into…the other one they went into. Apparently there wasn’t anything more than coins that were stolen , but the vandalism was an issue
We will also have to work with Chase Sapphire Preferred, as they are providing CDW coverage for the car. The car was a SUV and yes, the backpack and suitcase could be seen. H got the rental car company to give us a car with a trunk instead.
The sheriff said he spends all day between the two parking lots writing reports on folks whose cars were hit by thieves and it’s gotten much worse since the penalties went down. He says they’ve done stings and had bait cars and still can’t get ahead of the problem.
Uhhh . . . nope. Prop 47 reduced lower value thefts to misdemeanors also. But your point is well taken. If you have to choose, then put the violent offenders behind bars.
This has convinced H that any future cars we get --rental or owned will have good trunks. Thieves can still open trunks but H feels it’s more trouble than smashing glass.
I had been contemplating my next vehicle. Sounds like it will be a sedan, not SUV.
Yes, and he knows he will have to deal with TSA going back to D.C. on Monday with NO ID. He seems to be pretty calm about it, thankfully and was very polite to the CSR folks and sheriff. Seems like he’s had some prior burglaries under his belt.
This has become a huge problem in our neighborhood too since the penalties were lowered. Lower penalties equal more crime. Thieves catch on pretty fast.
When my D lived in San Francisco we would see the cars parked on the street with the pile of glass. My D was lucky to have a garage spot with her apartment.
I agree with Sax if this lot has a problem they should have signs or a parking attendant. And also a sign in the businesses that remind you to not leave valuables in your car. Kind of like the signs at Trader Joe’s when you walk in asking you if you remembered your shopping bags.
I’m so sorry @HImom that this happened. Sure leaves a lousy taste in one’s mouth.
This is a generally good warning though for all of us who are traveling soon, or whose kids will be. I have a trip coming up with 2 separate car rentals, and I know I can (sometimes) be lax about even something like phone cords being left in sight. My traveling buddy is the worst, she’ll want to leave her purse on the passenger seat “we’re only going for a walk” - I am a PITA and have always taken it and thrown it in the trunk, but I will be even more of a vigilante this time.
I would say that every lot or garage I park in in SF has a warning sign about not leaving valuables in cars (along with stating they have no responsibility). But many smash and grabs are just with street parking…it’s rampant.
It reminds me of bears in Yellowstone, but at least you’re warned. The rental car companies should warn customers, since the Sheriff says they are the prime target.
We had just picked him up at the aoñirport abd wanted to take him to the hotel but he wanted to eat at Millbrae. We aren’t eating there again until they fix the epidemic of car burglaries! We were only in the restaurant 30 minutes!