Solutions sought for burgled businesses
From our weekly issue dated December 23, 2009
A recent rash of burglaries has hit some Cave Junction businesses hard, during a time when many are struggling to simply stay open.
CJ Video Mart/Radio Shack on Redwood Hwy. at the north end of the city, was targeted around 3:30 a.m. on Nov. 19. It was the 13th time that the business has been victimized by burglary, and the third time since opening in its building.
Owner Chris Coultas credits the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) for its prompt response, and said that a deputy “showed right up” to take a report. But she questions the department’s ability to follow up on its initial investigations.
Of the 13 burglaries at Radio Shack, Coultas said that only one has been solved. In that instance, Coultas said, the culprits were literally caught in the act.
Nacho Mama’s restaurant adjacent to Radio Shack was burglarized on Friday, Dec. 4, between 11 p.m. and midnight. Owner Andrea Thomas said that deputies offered to respond immediately, but she didn’t insist on it, and a report was taken around 4 p.m. Dec. 5.
The response was better than in the past, Thomas said. She added that Nacho Mama’s has had “at least 10” burglaries throughout the past few years. One was solved, she said, and that was by Thomas herself within the first 24 hours.
She said that the latest burglary cost her more than $2,000 involving stolen product and the replacement of a smashed window. The business also had to be closed for two days to clean up the mess left behind, she added.
“It’s the wrong time of the year,” Thomas said. “We’re struggling anyway, as all small businesses are.”
Adding to the frustration is the fact that Thomas works between 60 and 80 hours per week at her business, and does her own security.
“I can’t do any more,” she stated.
Thomas said that she even briefly considered permanently closing her business. But she didn’t because she has “a lot of really good friends that won’t let me.”
Southern Oregon Outreach, a nonprofit organization, has been hit nine times during the past month by thefts from on-site trailers and warehouses.
JCSO Deputy George Gasperson, city of Cave Junction contract officer, mentioned the crime spree during the city council’s Monday night, Dec. 14 meeting. He said that the thefts have been concentrated on Caves Hwy. and the north end of town.
“Burglaries are rising a lot,” Gasperson said. “They’re attacking a lot of businesses.”
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Thomas said that she would like to see the establishment of some sort of information clearinghouse, where residents and business owners could examine current crime trends.
“We’re not getting the info,” Thomas said.
Sheriff Gil Gilbertson said that he is looking into a series of programs that would do just that. One program would cost approximately $2,400 per year, and would enable citizens to log onto a centralized national crime database, he said.
Another similar program is offered free, Gilbertson said, adding that JCSO Business Manager Sue Watkins is researching it.
The sheriff added that his office is examining crime trends to determine its personnel allocations.
“We’re going to be highly flexible in that,” said the county’s senior lawman.
In the meantime, JCSO is gearing up to provide 20-hour coverage at the beginning of the year. There currently is only one 12-hour shift. But a staffing plan approved by the Josephine County Board of Commissioners earlier this year should be fully implemented in July or August, said Gilbertson.
He also mentioned that JCSO will strive for around-the-clock coverage “with what we have.” He noted that burglaries and thefts typically tend to increase around Christmas time.
Thomas and Coultas said that they are skeptical that more deputy patrols will help secure their businesses. Coultas in particular is disappointed about the continued thefts, especially since she invested in building a modern, new facility.
“It’s a slap in the face,” she said. “How many bars do I have to put on that window?”
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