(March 1, 2005) Several surfers’ cars have been broken into, and even stolen, at and near Ocean Beach, San Francisco in recent months. Several surfers have reported that their cars have been ransacked while surfing at OB, usually after hiding their car keys on or near their cars. Like the buddy system in the water, we should be watching after each other on land, as well. The last reported incident happened at Noriega on Friday, February 25, 2005. We might be able to prevent similar incidents by listening to the advice of recent victim, Jon K. Here is Jon’s firsthand account:
I wanted to pass on some info to you, with the hopes that you could make an announcement on Surfpulse.
On Friday afternoon, while surfing Noriega, my car was broken into and my wallet was stolen. Apparently the thieves watched where I stashed my keys, waited until I paddled out, and then opened my car and took my wallet. Some other guy parked opposite me on the Great Highway also had his keys/wallet stolen and was waiting in his wetsuit for a ride home.
I also heard of a similar break-in a couple of weeks ago on the Great Highway at Quintara, and a separate incident at Pacheco. In each instance, the perpetrators used the surfers’ stash spot to gain access into their cars.
So please hide your keys with utmost care or take them surfing with you. When I hid my keys, several cars were coming down the highway, but I was too excited to wait until they passed. I plan on wearing my key around my neck from now on. Furthermore, if you see some suspicious activity, i.e. hoodlums or otherwise “suss” characters searching people’s pants for wallets and then leaving the scene, call attention to these guys!
(3/1/05)
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