While no one might have been hurt, Mission Viejo, ranked as the safest city in America (between 75,000 and 100,000 population), was hit again. I was just notified that around 2 p.m. today remote TV trucks setting up on Marguerite Parkway, near Sacks, where four high end SUV’s were stolen sometime yesterday. Chevrolet Tahoe’s that list at $35,000 and Suburban’s which start at $38,000 apparently are easy marks for these slick auto theft rings.
It was not too long ago that Mission Viejo was hit in the same location.
So much for mall security. I am certain you will see this story on the 6 o’clock news.
As a Santa Ana resident I DREAM of the day when 4 SUV’s being stolen would be news. In Santa Ana they would make you take all four reports over the phone if they would even do that. More common would be 4 murders in one day. Enjoy your low crime rate M.V.!
“four high end SUV’s were stolen”
It is not crime!….. but anti global warming act.
I wonder why they went after American SUVs. Are German and high end Japanese vehicles more of a challenge for thieves? Regardless, it really is terrible for the vehicle owners, even though I don’t care for SUVs.
‘Tis the season —–
anon #2.
As the OCSD stops vehicles in our strip malls than patrolling the mall should fall in the same coverage category.
Note: I don’t recall my saying that the Mall was private property. That comment, if made, was by someone responding. And yes, these car thefts had better appear in the facts and figures utilized to establish which city is number one. What a joke. We live in a bedroom community without industry nor manufacturing to speak of yet we are compared to industrial cities around the country. Safest. You only need one crime. Especialy if it hits you or a neighbor, friend or local relative.
I did receive an email from our mayor who corrected me. She said the category includes all cites over 75,000. I thought that larger cities like LA or NYC had a different grouping starting at 100,000. All the more reason to question our number one ranking.
I’ve lived in MV since 1996 and it’s a lot safer than Saigon or Santa Ana. Was contemplating a move to central OC but I think I’ll switch SUVs instead.
This whole story is a non-issue as it relates to ‘safest cities’. Auto burglaries and auto thefts are generally non-violent crimes. Had this story been about 4 carjackings, murders, rapes, robberies, or even assaults, then the term ‘safest city’ might be in doubt.
As mentioned by someone above, Santa Ana has so many auto thefts and auto burglaries that they generally take those reports by phone. I would not be shocked to learn most larger cities do the same thing because they have dozens of auto thefts and auto burglaries every day.
If I could afford to live in MV I would not think twice about moving there. I’d rather worry about losing my car than being shot.
Good morning Quang.
I don’t need to worry. We do not own an SUV. In fact both our cars predate the GWOT.
Regards, LG from MV
Anon 7:29 AM
There is no question that an auto theft is not in the same category as an armed robbery or murder. However, they do make up part of the overall stat’s which are used in the safest city selection process.
Not to make light of our achievement but to compare Mission Viejo to East St. Louis, Newark, NJ (where I was born) or Detroit creates a tilted playing field.
#9–It is a non issue until YOU lose your vehicle.
I heard the incumbent council members running for reelection covered this type of activity up last November.
This time the news folks will not them cover it up. Would you like a red, black, or silver SUV.??? The GMC models have tinted windows.
Larry
After doing a google of the QT press and reading how they come up with their numbers, I understand the point you were trying to make. It seems insane to include auto theft with violent crime, but they apparently do.
In one version of the QT press I saw where cities were broken down from 75k-100k,100k-500k and so on from apparently a different year. Those numbers showed MV 4th overall and 3rd when compared to communities of the same size. Frankly after reviewing the criteria I wouldn’t put much stock in the whole system or the QT press.
Oh and for #12. I’ve had 2 cars stolen. One right out of my driveway. I know how it feels. MV still looks pretty good to me.
Anyone seen Frank Ury lately? I hear he is driving a new Ford Pinto SUV without plates or keys!
If Council member Ury did take ANYTHING–the OC Sheriff would do nothing about it. After all who would represent the special interest in M.V. ?
Larry et al;
Let me explain MORE info. for your further knowledge!!
Most stolen vehicles have had their windows smashed, ignitions punched, broke into with slim jims. The thefts at the mall have with the use of high-tech gadgets; giving the thief easy entry into the cars. Even if a deputy or mall security guard was standing near the car, they could not tell if the thief was the rightful owner or not. They would need a crystal ball, which they don’t possess!. Give them a break. Their doing the best they can. Sometimes it’s not enough, that’s understood. But you can’t catch a thief when you can’t see one!
last year’s crime spree at the mission viejo mall was covered up until after the november 2006 elections. the shoppers were not aware of the car thefts at the mall until after the christmas shopping season was over. when the news media questioned the mall’s security response to the crimes, management told them to “stay off the property”.
maybe the simon brothers and the mission viejo police chief ought to study the crime prevention measures utilized by fashion island. the last three years, from 2005 to november 27, 2007, they have had 4 stolen vehicles at the mall.
Ok Mr. Expert, tell us what preventative measures have been taken at south coast plaza. AND, why do you always, yes YOU, always mention the grat crime spree and “cover-up”. What do you think would have happened if news was let out? Do you think all the thousands of people would have gone shopping at Laguna Hills Mall? What a joke. Tell us your point. There is none. You’re just mad because you are a “watchdog” and something went under your nose. It’s called A Need to know Basis. And you have no need to know!!
OK… Fashion Island. Whatever
Folks.
Let me make a few points.
As someone stated above, last year’s auto thefts were during the summer yet our chief of police services did not issue any warning to the public until December, one month AFTER the November election. Until that time the incumbents were boasting of our “safest” city awards and never cautioned the public at any city council meeting, nor in our city news magazine, to be on the alert.
You can’t tell me that our council members were not aware of the summer SUV thefts yet swept data regarding those crimes under a rug. “Acts of omission.” Don’t volunteer information unless specifically asked.
Food for thought. Everyone was told that immediately after Thanksgiving, all of the stores were open early with major special sales. One would hope that security would be beefed up in anticipation of auto thieves looking to break into parked cars. We helped them out last year by reporting how easy it is to get from the MV Mall to the freeway and down to TJ.
Take a chill pill, # 18. I don’t know what preventative measures Fashion Island uses, but it has proven to be more effective than the security measures at the Mission Viejo mall. In your anger, with your “what do you think would have happened if news was let out” statement, you admitted to the cover-up. how funny. but it is sad that the cover-up had nothing to do with protecting the shoppers, but protecting the council members who were running for office as well as protecting the OCSD from embarrassment.
This year is not an election year, so within 24 hours the public was aware of the crime wave at the mall. I guess it was only half the truth when we were told from an earlier post that the bad guys from last years spree were caught. because now we are being told that the same bad guys are at it again.
An aware public is an alert public. How many crimes have been solved with the public’s help? So your “need to know” comment is evidence of your lack of respect for the public, and your comment about shopping at the Laguna Hills mall is evidence of your ignorance. Instead of driving our SUV’s to the Mission Viejo mall, we would drive our second car, the mini-van. In your case, you can peddle your trike.