San Mateo's Eichler Crime Wave Has Receded

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SMC Sheriff
San Mateo Sheriff's cars. Image via Wikimedia Commons.

Home security is a real concern for Eichler owners, whose skylights, secluded backyards, and atriums make them susceptible to break-ins. We spent a couple pages in the latest issue of CA-Modern looking into the issue, after a rash of break-ins struck the San Mateo Highlands last year. Fortunately for those in Highlands, those break-ins have tapered off.

San Mateo County Sheriff's Department spokeswoman Deputy Rebecca Rosenblatt told me the department's increased presence in the area had contributed to a drop-off in residential burglaries.

"We have been making an effort to maintain a patrol presence up in the area as often as possible, for the specific purpose of deterring residential would-be burglars," Rosenblatt said. "And based on the fact that the incidents have dropped off, I would suggest that it seems to be working."

Rosenblatt provided the following crime statistics:

- April 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012: 3 Burglaries

- July 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012: 10 Burglaries

- October 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012: 1 Burglaries

- January 1, 2013 through March 31, 2013: 11 Burglaries

- April 1, 2013 through June 30, 2013: 0 Burglaries

- July 1, 2013 through September 30, 2013: 0 Burglaries

- October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013: 0 Burglaries

But the positive trend does not mean Eichler and other MCM owners should lighten up on security. Not every MCM homeowner gets the kind of law enforcement attention those in the Highlands have been getting,  and even an increased police presence won't deter all possible crime. Brush up on your best MCM security measures online here, or in the pages of CA-Modern.