LOCK YOUR DOORS! Some citizens continue to live in denial. Yes, the Central Coastal towns are relatively crime-free, but bad guys still lurk in the shadows. On 7-21-2011, a residential burglary occurred in the 2600 block of Laurel Avenue in Morro Bay. The resident left the house doors unlocked while they were away. When they returned to their peaceful, crime-free little neighborhood, they found their home had been entered. Thieves left with two new flat-screen televisions, multiple firearms, jewelry, and money. The total loss was almost $10,000. We are finding that thieves will readily pass up a locked car or house, preferring the convenience of an unlocked one. A locked car will remain untouched in a cluster of unlocked cars where items are taken. This ain't Fresno or L.A., but it ain't utopia either. LOCK UP!

The following are highlights taken from hundreds of hours of work output of the Morro Bay Police Department's routine law enforcement, investigations, contacts and follow-ups; if you can call anything in law enforcement "routine." Events are listed to give you an idea of what is going on here on the "quiet" Central Coast.

During the week of September 10th to the 15th, the Morro Bay Police Department responded to 340 calls for service, made nine arrests, and generated 26 case reports. The primary charges for each arrest were as follows;
(1)   Disturbing the peace/unlawful noise,
(1)   Probation violation
(1)   Under influence and possession of narcotics (cocaine, marijuana)
(1)   Driving under the influence or alcohol or drugs
(1)   Disorderly conduct/drunk public/ parole violation
(1)   Driving on a suspended Driver License
(1)   Possession marijuana and obscene material on school grounds,
(1)   Under influence narcotics (cocaine/ methadone/marijuana),
(1)   Making criminal threats.

Some of the more significant activity for the week is outlined below.

• On September 10th, an Officer was flagged down by a citizen who told him a woman had just made death threats towards her. An investigation resulted in the arrest of a woman for making criminal threats.
• On September 10th, Officers investigated a domestic violence in the 400 block of Little Morro Creek. This case is still under investigation.
• In the evening of September 10th, Officers responded to the 400 block of Oahu to investigate a burglary. The victim did not want to prosecute. The male suspect, who is a neighbor, was intoxicated and distraught over recent events in his life. Officers were assisted by County Mental Health in counseling and obtaining medical aid for this man.
• In the late evening of September 10th, Officers responded to a report of a disturbance where threats were being made in the 2000 block of Sunset.  Officers had to break away from other calls to respond. Officers arrived and determined one of the people involved had mental problems. No physical altercation had occurred and the parties were counseled. 
• In the early morning hours of September 11th, Officers responded to a report of a man who had threatened suicide with a firearm in the 500 block of Monterey. The man, who had been drinking, was taken County Mental Health for psychiatric evaluation. Officers seized three firearms from the residence.
• In the evening of September 12th, Officers responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle in the area of Panorama and Tahiti. Officers contacted several subjects who were near the vehicle when they arrived. Officers discovered that one of the subjects was on parole and had dumped a baggie containing narcotics on the ground. Further investigation revealed the subjects were in possession of several grams of cocaine and marijuana in addition to be under the influence of narcotics. The investigation resulted in the arrest of two of the subjects for being under the influence of narcotics, being in possession of narcotics and sale of narcotics.
• In the morning of September 14th, Officers assisted school personnel with an investigation of reported sexual harassment. The investigation resulted in a student being found in possession of marijuana on school grounds as well as having obscene material on an electronic device at school. The student was cited for the violations and turned over to his parents.
• In the afternoon of September 14th, Officers on foot patrol at Lila Keiser Park located a 61-year-old man who was in possession of marijuana and hashish. A 29-year-old man was at the park and found to be under the influence of a controlled substance. Both men were arrested for the violations.
• In the early morning of September 15th, Officers responded to a report of a disturbance in the 400 block of La Jolla. Officers arrived and determined it was a verbal domestic dispute. The female subject was arrested for outstanding warrants.
• In the afternoon of September 15th, Officers investigated reports of a transient camp and illegal activity in the 300 block of Surf Street. Officers arrested a 47-year-old man for parole violation and public intoxication.
• In the evening of September 15th, Officers responded to a report of a man making death threats to another person. Officers conducted an investigation and arrested the 20-year-old man for making crimin
• al threats.

In the evening of September 15th, Officers responded to a report of a disturbance and threats being made regarding a subject videotaping others in the 1100 block of Market Ave.  The incident is still under investigation. 

(Taken from the Morro Bay Peace Officers / Community newsletter "Partners in Safety."
To subscribe to the MB Peace Officers Newnewsletter, email mbpoanewsletter@charter.net )

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Information was obtained from the Morro Bay Peace Officers / Community Newsletter.
Photo of Morro Bay Police Car by Jerry Kirkhart