Another #@*%$ Break-In

chemdoc · Senior Member

Another #@*%$ Break-In

yukon mike · Senior Member

It is important to report every time you get broken into. They may eventually get the picture.
Maybe not. Maybe you were broken into by a victim sleepwalker on Ambien. . .

Mike

chemdoc · Senior Member

I went to the CHP office in Woodland today to report the break-in, so hopefully they will be on the lookout. The officer passed on a suggestion which police in Sacramento have been recommending and that others have mentioned as well. That is, make sure there is nothing valuable in your vehicle, nothing enticing in plain view, and leave it unlocked. Apparently that has been helping in Sac. I am considering an alarm system as well, but for now will leave the window open and nothing in my van. Hopefully the thieves will take a look and move on.

Again, I have been robbed twice at access 5 out of is my last three visits to the creek, so be on the lookout. Someone is apparently cruising the highway looking for plunder.

Phil

rich · Veteran Member

chemdoc,

I feel your pain as well. I have not been broken into there but other places as well. I don't want to point fingers or anything and I don't offend anyone, but since the "park keeper" has been set up there I've noticed a lot of shady looking characters in that area. The place looks like a trash heap and stinks to holy hell. Roll your window down and drive past some time. I am not saying the two are related in any way, but it sure seems like a lot of complaints have arisen from that area lately. I started fishing the creek one year ago and people talked about how great it was. Have you noticed how much more trash is in that area? The areas upstream still have the same usual assortment of bait tubs, beer bottles and what not, but below the trash heap, what are all those plastic bottles doing down there ?

KHB · Veteran Member

Chemdoc,

This is disturbing news. I'm so sorry. Putah Creek was my dads favorite fishing spot, he fished it for over 30 years, he loved the place, and used to bring me there when I was a kid. He used to literally tie a rope around my waste and take me up and down the stream teaching me to fish, some of the best memories I have of with my dad. Well like you he got broken into about 10 +/- yrs ago and was so upset he never fished Putah again. My dad is older now, suffering from Lung Cancer and COPD, and probably won't ever fish again, but he still often talks about his fishing days on Putah, I tried to get him to come with me last year, but he just was not interested. When people steal from you, not only do they take your stuff, they take your comfort, and a piece of your spirit I believe too.

Anyway sorry this happened to you, I hope things change on the creek, the last few times I went I felt a bit uneasy out there, there was a different element hanging around, and like I said I just felt uneasy.

-- Edited by KHB at 08:24, 2006-05-06

bigjohn · Member

Hi All,

I started fly-fishing last September and caught my first fish during the Thanksgiving holidays. I've been to Putah three times and have fallen in love with the place so this discussion of breakins is breaking my heart. One of the benefits of fly fishing besides catching fish, is the peace of mind standing in the stream and feeling secure. It sounds like that peace of mind is disappearing.

Perhaps there may be a possible hi-tech solution. I saw on the news where the police in some areas are planting bait cars with cameras in them and which are monitored by the police. When they broken into and stolen there is a video of the thief and the car is disabled. Once the culprits got word of this the incidents dropped dramatically.

Maybe with some modification and creativity this could be applied at Putah. I have no idea what cameras cost but if not too expensive it would be worth it to put these people out of commission. It can also be suggested to the officials and they might accept it if a petition came from the fly-fishers at Putah.

Between personal cameras in our cars and the authorities planting bait cars the bad folks will get the message that Putah Creek is off limits.

Just a suggestion. What do you think?

John

yukon mike · Senior Member

I think it is time to start packing. On the rivers up north such as the Smith, guys are carrying as
standard equipment because there is just too much crack happening these days, and it is starting to appear rampant. I am thinking of parking the truck, and just sit down a little ways, watch the river and the truck. I am patient, and I am not joking. I am also looking forward to a great fishing season here at home, and this stuff won't be getting in the way. For those of you considering carrying hardware, join a range, learn all the rules, and practice so that you are
a responsible and skilled individual.

Mike

w8itn4you · Member

i had my car broken into last year....love fishing there, but its things like this that makes me stray away from putah creek.. im still waiting to go this year, but not sure where to on putah creek to go so i know my car is safe....

nowadays, the best way to fish is next to your car...

KHB · Veteran Member

I don't really like the idea of having to "pack" when I go fishing. But what the heck are you supposed to do? I might just go down and buy a gun learn to use it, and bring it with me. I would hate to walk away letting these scumbags beat me.

It's gonna be like the wild west down there if we are all packing, but if it means taking the stream back I'm all for it.

Maybe it's time we have a Putah Creek Fishers meeting, I might even be willing to host it.

Please comment on this idea.

lightfoot · Senior Member

Catch somebody breaking into your vehicle and pull a gun on them? Then what? Are you going to handcuff them? Shoot them? They happend to look at you and laugh and try and drive off in YOUR vehicle...you going to shoot them? More than one of them...shoot em both??

Sounds like a real good way to get shot yourself? Go to prison for shooting somebody? Go to prison for brandishing a weapon? Shoot out their tires when they try to leave...negligent discharge of a weapon? They pull out their own gun and start shooting at you...wild wild west and you win....lawsuit, expensive laywers ect ect to follow?

So you don't have handcuffs and decide to use mongo zip ties....makes you close enough for them to get ahold of you. Cops die via their own guns while restraining people and they are trained at what they do.

Granted if you confronted somebody, regardless if you had a gun or not, they would probably jump into their vehicle and split.

Assuming the plates arn't stollen taking some pictures of the dirtbags and their vehicle are your best bet. Depending on which way they leave you could have the phone numbers handy for Solano or Napa County Sheriff, Vacaville PD, Winters PD, CHP. A quick drive to Pardishas and a land line as cell coverage there probably wont work. Want to chase them in your vehicle? No thanks I'll pass.

btw just a reminder that if YOU are fishing and they get YOUR address via your vehicle registration in many cases your garage is accessable via a remote that used to be on your window visor

thieves suck but living with them in confined quarters is worse...be smart and be safe

KHB · Veteran Member

Very well put Lightfoot. We end up in prison or dead, fishing won't matter much. I don't like gun control, nor do I think everyone should have one either.

Thats why I like the idea of getting the folks that do enjoy fishing on Putah together and coming up with something other than just rolling over. Maybe on a trash clean-up day.

KHB

chemdoc · Senior Member

I am glad that this issue is generating a lot of discussion. I love fishing at Putah and don't want to be chased off by thieves. It is a sad day when a peaceful pursuit like fly fishing is interrupted by crime. I see that w8itn4you was broken into last year and I am interested to know at which access it happened. Both of mine were at access 5.

Perhaps if we all get together and petition the highway patrol, they would be willing to do something proactive. Other than that, I am going to try the open and unlocked approach and hope they will just search and leave rather than smashing my windows. I also think some surveillance might be useful. While I don't plan to carry a gun, I like Yukon Mikes idea of observing my vehicle at a distance with a telephoto lens on my camera and a cell phone to call the police. Once someone gets caught out there, the other thieves might decide that the pickings aren't worth the risk.

Hopefully, once more of us are on the creek and more vehicles are present, the increased traffic will make the crooks think twice. Both times I was robbed, it was on a weekday and I was the only car at the access. We should all keep an eye out for suspicious persons and watch each others backs. I would also be interested to hear from Greg and see if he has any suggestions.

Phil

yukon mike · Senior Member

Just so you guys know, I am not packing, but have been thinking about it because I go to a lot of areas in the middle of what at times seems to be CRACKVILLE USA. Putah seems to be wanting to be on the map. That being said, beware of photographing weird ****heads if you are outnumbered and they see you. They could do something really nuts. Also if you are on a river that you don't know much about (aside from the fish) and you see pvc pipes going up the hill, do not ever go to see where they go. It will not improve your fishing.

Mike

JT · Senior Member

This topic causes a lot of mixed emotions. We all want to protect ourselves, our property, and our right to fish the creek in peace. The use of guns gives us a sense of security, but I think we all know that it can cause more problems. Carrying guns might be the answer for some, but for others it might not. I agree with KHB's idea of organizing a meeting where we talk about the situation and possible solutions. These break-ins are happening far too often. Something needs to be done before it gets out of hand.

-- Edited by JT at 12:16, 2006-05-09

101fish · Senior Member

I think the meeting idea is a good idea, what do you propose to do though? Vigilante justice is somewhat frowned upon these days? A letter of complaint to the sheriffs? Taking action on matters like this can be a tricky subject, but I agree it is necessary.

yukon mike · Senior Member

To answer a few questions, let me say that you don't have to shoot anybody. Nor do you have to
brandish one. If you go to Alaska, you will notice how polite folks are. Guess what? Most are
seriously packing. Furthermore, when you report anything to the chp or the sheriff dept. you
get the old "we can't do anything unless a crime has been committed." I just love that one.
So you have to let the crackheads beat the bejesus outta ya to get any results. I think
you have a right to protect yourself. If you don't want to, that's your business. You can be polite
and civil to anyone and still pack. First of all if you are polite, and do not shrivel in horror at
the presence of questionable folks, if they do think something is up, they will go away.
Your apparent peace of mind and self assurance is not appealing to them. Also, if worst came
to worse, who says you have to try to kill someone? If a gun came out on their end, first thing to do is of course try to find cover. Duels are a bad idea. If then they come after you, then you gotta do what you gotta do. I would like to have more than a rock or stick to work with. That being said, I don't have anything of value left in my truck when I go out at #5. If I am going to go fish a spinner fall, I will bring a 4wt, a few flies, and leave the rest of my rods and my LAPTOP at home.

Peace on Earth,
Mike

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

I dont know if any of you are members of the NRA,I am and I read up alot on gun laws and safety ect,and would have to agree with Yukon Mike.Statistics across the board say that states such as Texas where carrying a concealed firearm is legal the murder rates;rape;robberies and a host of other violent crimes have dropped dramatically.In the magazine "Americas 1st freedom" there is a column every month of news paper articles of people defending themselves with a firearm and living to tell the story much to the dismay of the perpetrators.I strongly believe that if a person chooses to carry a concealed weapon they had better know all the rules and responsibilities that come with it and realize that it is a misdimeanor but could be a felony depending on the circumstances.Personally it gives me a peace of mind and confidence that Mike talked about earlier.I have already had to use mine once on the Lower Sac River just last year,no I didnt shoot anyone or did I even intend to but it got myself and my 2 friends out of a predicament that was a threat to our lives,I'll just leave it at that.I am going to call a couple of warden friends of mine that patrol the creek and also call Duane at Lk Solano (he's one of the park rangers) and I too think it's great that this has got alot of attention on this site maybe the word will spread to make people more aware of the possible idiots out there.As for you chem doc...that just totally sucks!! I hope that those retards who broke into you're vehicle will not keep you from visiting our creek and being one of the regulars.

yukon mike · Senior Member

Just as an afterthought, for those of you who equate firearms with mayhem and violence.
Greg is correct in his observations, however for those who want to remain non hardware,
drive to the creek in something older, a little funky like an old truck if you have one. They
will always be attracted by a Lexis or anything smooth looking. The best fishing truck I ever
saw was a 46' GMC very straight but rusty. The back was full of empty whisky bottles and brass.
You wouldn't want to be caught with your finger in that cookie jar. Besides, you don't have to worry about the paint and it blends in with the scenery better.

Mike

JT · Senior Member

Like Bono, my dad and I have been saved by carrying guns on fishing trips-from rattlesnakes to idiots who needed some learnin'. If you choose to pack, please educate yourself. Guns are tools, not toys. Like all tools, they have their purpose. You wouldn't use a jackhammer without first learning how to do so safely. The same applies for guns-to protect yourself and others.