and they want it, they will steal it.

That was the Clearlake mentality described to me many years ago before we moved here.

that there is some kind of set up going on here. Sounds like a very high potential insurance claim to me. Also he just happened to be away. And now he has to close. I would want to see the profits for the past year if I were the police.

Apparently there were two perpetrators and the value of the items stolen could be $250,000. The store owner, Vince Metzger, is quoted saying that he may have to close his business due to this and other recent criminal acts. He states that he may post a sign stating:

"ue to an unbelievably aggressive criminal element in Clearlake and ineffective law enforcement, I am compelled to close until further notice,"

I also own a business on Lakeshore drive and see on a daily basis the poor law enforcement that occurs even relatively close to city hall. Transients prowling around, many screaming obscenities or threats; vehicles with extremely loud exhausts and/or music assaulting our ears, petty theft of hand tools, garden tools/hoses left unattended for a few minutes; I could go on for hours if allowed.

Curious why customers and tourist-guests (especially those from out-of-town who want to spend a peaceful weekend) often don't return to Clearlake? I'm not.

For the past week an individual (who I had challenged for likely dumping trash on the business property across the street) has been driving by several times each day slowing to yell the most vile obscenities at me. This has been witnessed by several tradesmen helping me remodel some of my cottages. It reached the point where I went to the police station to ask for help, but could not even get past the dispatcher at the window. According to her, what we are being subjected to is "not a crime" and nothing can be done short of somehow discovering the identity of the individual (and the police will not help do that) and obtaining a restraining order.

My experiences pale in comparison to those inflicted on Mr. Metzger and he has my deepest sympathy and I will soon contact him to offer whatever support I can provide.

and voila, case closed - crime solved. Do you work for the Clearlake Cop Shop? Even if the proprietor had been present do you really think that would have deterred the bad guys? I,d look at the customer who wanted to look at the inventory not present at the business site before I'd look at the victim. Bad guys have all day to sit around and wait for an opportune moment. Perhaps Mr. Metzger would be better off closing his doors and sell everything on the internet. But do it outside the City Limits so as not to have to pay taxes to an entity that cannot come close to assuring your safety, despite the cop tax. I hate even suggesting that because Zepher Zen is one of the coolest stores in this county.

I could say "so much for a new beginning" But the truth be known all the rhetoric one can muster just will not keep the bad people in line. Lets hope good police work is forthcoming.Good luck as well.

in the Clearlake situation until something is done about the continued dumping of parolees, pervs, ineffective leadership & govt, and lackluster ho hum CPD. The badge thing was nothing more than a cheesy bandaid.

Hear! Hear! James!

Bad people do bad things no doubt about it!

I to have my tales of woe; when it comes to witnessing unlawful activity with no resolve at the hands of those I though would be resolving the issue.

The bottom line is I better do whatever it is I can do to protect me and mine. A good alarm system is a deterrent and the price of doing business today. I know I am not going to keep the bad people from doing bad things. Security is becoming an ever increasing expense for the small merchant.

Let's think about it; we have all become targets; the trick is not to become a victim. $250,000.00 was the figure I believe that was reported stolen by the the_Lakeport_corporate_paper; my hope is that the victim here has insurance; another very expensive element when one is trying to conduct business as a small merchant.

But there is no way we can employee enough police personnel in order to secure our safety; even if you could get them to take the job for $10,000.00 a year. Long gone are the days of quaintness were we knew our neighbors; the affluent stranger is moving in all around us and the element of criminal who prey on them are not wanting to be left wanting!

James is correct; no amount of rhetoric can keep us from becoming victims of those who have no respect for others let alone any respect for themselves; the thief.