Reported crimes decreased in 2022, per recent sheriff’s report

Reported crime in communities covered by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office decreased in 2022, after a three-year incline, according to a report released by the sheriff’s office last week. Crimes in the reported data are sorted into Part 1 crimes – crimes that are the most “serious” in nature, per Public Information Officer Raquel Zick – and Part 2 crimes, which cover lesser criminal offenses.

The city of Carpinteria r eported a 20% decrease in overall crime and 26% decrease in property crime. The city also saw a 41% increase in the number of violent crimes, with nine additional reports, ranging from robbery to aggravated assault, made in 2022.

Reported Part 1 crimes across the county – violent crimes and property crimes – saw a significant decrease in 2022. There was a 12% decrease in reported violent crimes, and homicides went down by 33%. Reported property crimes also went down by 13%, and reported burglaries had a 23% decrease.

Arson was the only Part 1 crime category that saw an increase in 2022, at 157% – 11 cases more than 2021. The arson data was provided by the county fire departments, who responded to the illegal fires.

Part 2 crimes, which include juvenile and status offenses – such as truancy and curfew violations – decreased by 10% compared to 2021. All Part 2 crime categories saw a decrease in 2022; violations of liquor laws also went down by 55%.

Sheriff Bill Brown said the sheriff’s office is “pleased to see” these decreases.

“This is a trend that we welcome and believe is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement and custody professionals, as well as our partnerships with the people we serve and protect,” he said last week in a press release. “There is still work to be done to ensure that Santa Barbara County remains a safe place to live and work, but we are encouraged by the progress that has been made. The Sheriff’s Office will continue to work diligently to maintain this positive trend.”

More information and detailed breakdowns of crime statistics can be found on SBSheriff.org.

––Gillian Flath

For the record...

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CUSD needs to rethink intruder protocols

In light of the intruder incident at Canalino Elementary School on April 13, it is clear that the Comprehensive Safety Plan protocols set in place by the superintendent and school board need to be updated for all schools in the Carpinteria Unified School District, to reflect the climate we are currently living in.

Per the CUSD Comprehensive Safety Plan (page 29, item 12) for an intruder, or an unauthorized person who enters school property, the current protocols are:

• Notify the Principal or designee.

• Ask another staff person to accompany you before approaching the guest/ intruder.

• Politely greet the guest/intruder and identify yourself.

• Ask the guest/intruder the purpose of his/her visit.

• Inform guest/intruder that all visitors must register at the main office.

• If the intruder’s purpose is not legitimate, ask him/her to leave. Accompany intruder to exit. (If necessary, attempt to get license plate number and description, if appropriate.)

• Principal/designee will call 911, if necessary.

When a mentally ill woman entered campus on March 22, while children were on campus, 911 was immediately called, which went out of protocol.

Three weeks later, two men are found on Canalino campus and at this point a district employee follows protocols and politely introduces herself and asks their intentions. It was assumed these men were unarmed. They fled the scene instead of answering the employee’s polite question and have since evaded police.

So, we have no answers as to what their intentions were.

With mass shootings happening more frequently, is it not a fair question to ask the superintendent and school board to reevaluate the safety protocols, and put “Call 911 upon seeing an intruder” at the top of the list, as opposed to the bottom?

Aja and Joey Forner Carpinteria

Dog owners need recreational space

I read the mayor’s recent comments in his State of the City speech, and somehow it didn’t square with reality, especially the parts about the people of Carpinteria and “enhancing recreational… opportunities,” as well as, “We continue to develop recreational and social activities that help people… We need to further cultivate vital communication with our residents to know their priorities,” and then the list of things accomplished that do not include one word about an off-leash area for dogs. Perhaps the 40+ percent of Carpinteria families with dogs weren’t being addressed in this speech.

It has been almost five months since the city council voted unanimously to shut down the only sanctioned off-leash area in Carpinteria – with no alternatives, then or now. That act disenfranchised close to 100 Carpinterians who brought their dogs to El Carro Park. And while the dogs can’t speak on their own behalf, their owners will tell you that they’ve missed their friends, the people who helped get them through the dark, early days of Covid-19.

Every dog owner I know who has moved to another city, writes to say how amazing the off-leash areas are in their new hometown. Every city I visit on vacations has a dog park. Why can’t my town?

Van Fleisher Carpinteria

Why dig wells in El Carro Park?

Well it is happening, I guess. The Carpinteria Valley Water District is building groundwater monitoring wells in El Carro Park (CVN Vol. 29, No. 32).

My goodness, what is it about El Carro Park that causes such an uproar? It seems like a regular park to me, yet there are constant battles around dogs, sports and now water wells. Wells, you ask?

Why, yes. The water district recently received approval to build water wells in the park! You may ask: “Why in the park? Where dogs walk, sports are played and Girls Inc. has been happily established for many years? Why?”

According to Bob McDonald, who is spearheading what I consider to be a suspicious project, there is nowhere else in the entire Carpinteria Valley where these wells can be drilled. Not on empty land, agricultural land, nope. Only two feet from private houses that surround El Carro Park. That is weird, no? It isn’t

Death notice

just me that thinks that is weird?

I am a senior citizen (as many know, and yes, I am a grumpy hermit). I find this whole project highly suspicious and dangerous. I have voiced my concern and disapproval. But, who am I? All I can say is: What is it about El Carro Park?

Teresa Peacock Carpinteria

Scammed to the grave

During the storms, I had roof damage which caused a hole where the rain came in, destroying not only my roof but my bathroom wall too. Well, surprise, the insurance company reluctantly paid for the roof, which was inexpensive compared to the “wind driven rain” wall damage.

The roof damage was in the hundreds and with the deductible, a tiny amount was paid. The wall damage – which was caused by rain seeping in through the roof hole, and turning to mold within the bathroom wall – was in the thousands, and of course, not covered.

And for this, they do not pay! This particular rain event, an all-too-common experience, is exempt from coverage. I urge you to check your policy. The policy is purposely obfuscating, confusing and generally impossible to read. Get help, or study and ask questions. We even have an insurance commission in this state, supposedly a consumer protection agency, and I have a few ugly words for their effectiveness… and they won’t print them here!

I urge everyone, especially those living in a mobile home with Foremost Insurance, to read or somehow decipher your own homeowners policy. Keep in mind it is not written for your benefit.

This “wind driven rain damage” does not have to be excluded but it is yet another sneaky way to scam the public. I’m so glad I can contribute to the wealth of these crooks with their buildings emblazoned with in-your-face insurance logos.

There are so many games and scams and downright dirty behaviors especially in the insurance business, so why do we continue to pay these miscreants? I know the answers but as yet unconvincing. We are being scammed right into the grave… now let’s talk about burial insurance… ok, later.

Jane Benefield Carpinteria

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DOROTHY COWAN, 91, of Carpinteria passed away on April 24, 2023. Arrangements are handled by Simply Remembered Cremation Care.

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