The number of crimes reported in Dublin, CA, dropped for the second month in a row. The decrease in activities was mostly due to the fact that February is a short month. Of the 172 crimes reported for February, almost half were theft, 39% were traffic-related or categorized as quality of life crimes, and the remaining 14% were violence and sexual offenses. While Dublin saw a slight shift away from cases involving theft to traffic and quality of life crimes, there have been a few disturbing developments involving prostitution and breaking & entering activities this past month.

Dublin Police Services worked with the Pleasanton Police Department on a prostitution sting in front of the Extended Stay and Hyatt Summerfield Suites in Pleasanton, CA, on Chabot Drive. On February 18, 2010, Dublin Police Services made a total of eight arrests from that prostitution sting. Dublin Police Services also made arrests on February 9, 2010, on the corner of Hopyard Road and Owens Drive in Pleasanton and on February 10th in Dublin next to Shannon Park and St. Raymond’s Church. Both incidents were categorized as other sexual offenses.

February also had an extraordinary number of break-ins with a total of 14 breaking & entering crimes reported throughout the City of Dublin. Given the distribution of the locations and dates, the series of breaking and entering incidents do not appear to be related. The high frequency of cases seems to be caused by an increase in crimes of opportunity, as many involved valuables left inside vehicles in plain sight. Dublin Police Services Crime Prevention has proactively engaged Dublin’s Neighborhood Watch Groups and visited impacted areas. When officers spot potential victim vehicles, they would contact the owners and advise them not to leave valuables in plain view. “This program has been well received [by residents],” noted Dublin City Manager Joni Pattillo.

Sadly, Dublin had a kidnapping reported on February 21, 2010, on the 3600 block of Whitworth Drive in the Cottages of Dublin Ranch Villages. This kidnapping case was related to a domestic violence issue and did not involve a child.

The Crime Prevention Unit of Dublin Police Services recommends that residents form Neighborhood Watch programs on their streets. The Crime Prevention Unit also encourages neighbors to look out for one another and report suspicious activities or vehicles. By improving their awareness and developing a sense of community, residents will become less vulnerable to crime. If residents are interested in forming Neighborhood Watch programs, please contact Community Safety Assistants Val Ridad at (925)833-6677, or Laura Correa-Hernandez at (925)833-6686.