LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – With county residents concerned due to a recent murder as well as a series of break-ins and other property crimes, local officials last Thursday offered a series of safety tips that people can take on their own.
The proposals came during a town hall meeting at Kelseyville High School last week which Supervisor Rob Brown organized.
During the meeting, there also was an update on the investigation into the Jan. 18 murder of 33-year-old Kelseyville resident Forrest Seagrave, mortally wounded during a late night robbery, as well as general public safety issues.
Here are some of the key suggestions made during the meeting.
Start or join a Neighborhood Watch group
Undersheriff Pat Turturici said the sheriff’s office has reinstated its Neighborhood Watch program and is now forming groups.
For county residents, call the sheriff’s office at 707-262-4200.
The Lakeport Police Department also coordinates Neighborhood Watch programs in the city as part of its community oriented policing strategy. Lakeport residents interested in the program are encouraged to call Lakeport Police at 707-263-5491.
Clearlake residents should call the Clearlake Police Department at 707-994-8251 to ask about program availability.
Be vigilant
Capt. Chris Macedo of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office urged people to always be aware of their surroundings.
It’s important to look around you, and not to be so distracted by phones or music – especially when wearing head phones – that you’re not aware of that is going on nearby, he said.
Consider a security system
Security systems can help keep a home safe, and also are more affordably priced these days.
For about $500, a home can be outfitted with a basic security system featuring cameras that can be checked via smart phone, according to Mike Gossett of Gossett Alarm.
The capability of video surveillance, Macedo said, can help law enforcement when investigating break ins.
Get a dog
A dog can be a great companion, and also can help discourage potential burglars.
Macedo said law enforcement doesn’t like to go into homes with snarling dogs – even small ones – so he didn’t imagine the bad guys do, either.
He said it’s important to make sure that there is adequate fencing and containment for dogs.
Brown said dogs, by alerting their owners through barking, can help give a person time to react if a break in is taking place.
If you’re looking for a dog, check out Lake County Animal Care and Control at http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Animal_Care_And_Control/Adopt/Dogs_and_Puppies.htm , telephone 707-263-0278 or visit the shelter at 4949 Helbush in Lakeport.
Be mindful of visibility and lighting
Macedo suggested keeping shrubs and other vegetation around homes trimmed back so they can’t be used as hiding places for burglars.
He also urged that people have adequate lighting around homes.
Clean up graffiti
Gangs are active in Lake County, community members were told at the meeting.
In areas where gangs are active, graffiti often results. “That’s how they mark their territory,” said Macedo.
He said the best thing to do in response is to cover the graffiti up as quickly as possible.
Write down serial numbers
Another simple thing that many people know to do, but often don’t do, is writing down the serial numbers of valuables such as computers and other electronics, and keeping that information in a safe place, a practice Macedo encouraged.
When items are stolen and owners report the serial numbers, those numbers are put into a database, Macedo said.
In a recent case, a gun stolen from Lake County in 1993 was found in Tennessee, thanks to its serial number showing up in that database, Macedo said.
He encouraged people to take the time to write the information down, and even to take pictures of items to go with the numbers.
Report code violations
Brown said it can be easy to ignore code violations on properties, such as jacked up cars sitting in yards for extended periods of time.
However, leaving neighborhoods and homes to fall into disrepair can attract crime, he said.
Lake County Community Development Director Rick Coel encouraged community members to call his agency at 707-263-2221 to report code violations, including marijuana grows that are out of compliance or nuisances.
Learn about gun ownership, gun safety
For those wanting to own a firearm for self protection, Brown encouraged them to take hunter safety courses, which also are available for children.
Groups like the Lake County Rod and Gun Club are excellent resources for people who want to learn about gun safety, he said.
It also was pointed out that for those who have children, there are gun locks that keep the firearms safe from children but can still be made quickly available when needed by an adult.
There are other devices, including pepper spray, that also can offer a measure of protection, Macedo said.
Take a self-defense course
Learning to defend oneself through martial arts and basic self-defense courses can be empowering; it also can keep you safe.
Instructors Aaron Jameson and Fred Langston were both at the Thursday meeting to be available to talk to community members; there also are other martial arts studios in Lake County where community members can learn self-defense and stay fit at the same time.
For businesses: Enforce clothing rules
For business owners concerned about robberies, officials pointed out that it’s legal to set up rules for attire for those visiting a business.
The “no shoes, no shirts, no service” standard is well known; it’s also perfectly acceptable to ban items of clothing like hats and hoodies, which one Kelseyville business did after an armed robbery a few years ago.
Keep it locked
While many people living in rural areas like Lake County are used to leaving their homes and vehicles unlocked, locking doors is a basic, yet effective, deterrent.
Even Brown admitted that he’s having to change habits, after years of leaving his vehicle unlocked.
He also reminded people that they can’t leave tools or equipment unsecured in vehicles.
Doing so almost ensures they will be stolen; he said such property crimes are extremely time consuming for law enforcement.
Keep children busy
Despite the assertions by some that say there isn’t enough for children to do in Lake County, Brown argued against that notion, pointing to school and league sports, martial arts, the local BMX park, dance, 4-H and FFA, as well as outdoor activities.
He said he remembered an undersheriff who made fishing poles as a hobby, whose motto was that a child with a fishing pole in their hand doesn’t get into trouble.
“It takes involvement by the parents,” Brown said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.