Poll: Burglary a big concern for residents

With several categories of crime on the increase in Petaluma, the majority (62.9 percent) of those responding to an online Argus-Courier poll said they are most concerned about burglary. About 20 percent of the respondents were worried about the rise of assaults in Petaluma, while other types of crimes were of concern.

Here are some of the comments:

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“An evening in downtown used to be a fun experience. A few years ago there were no drunks on the sidewalk as long as you were gone by 11 p.m. Now it’s getting to be 9 p.m. It’s very uncomfortable to have so many loud boisterous groups blocking the sidewalks. Why does Petaluma allow so many restaurants convert to noisy bars?”

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“The criminals commit the crimes, damage is done again and again and nobody gets caught. Photos don’t seem to help. Innocents are being subject to this hostile invasion in this once peaceful community. If these criminals are not from Petaluma, what is luring them to Petaluma all of a sudden?”

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“Gang violence rising due to the massive failure of the feds to enforce existing immigration laws and failure to remove ‘criminaliens’ after they commit crimes.”

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“Just feeling uneasy and scared that my kids aren’t safe, nor I. I blame the casino and the people it’s attracting.”

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“Crimes and a general diminution of the character and quality of Petaluma life caused by some, not all, transient and ‘homeless by choice, not circumstance’ type individuals.”

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“Afraid of gang members.”

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“Stop focusing only on DUI and spend more time on all three other crimes.”

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“Too many kids with nothing to do but look for trouble on the streets. Petaluma has changed for the worse. Been here 70 years, and Sonoma County has become a scary place!”

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“People have gone crazy and are more impatient than in the past. We need to protect ourselves, but at what cost does it become necessary to arm ourselves, too?”

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“Residential burglary and auto break-ins. Railroad track and river encampment people seem to often be involved.”

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“Nowadays, the Petaluma Police Department can’t be bothered with anything petty. We seem to have a crime ‘deductible’ before anything gets any attention.”

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“Years of mismanagement of pension plans and an anti-business environment have lead to lower revenues and police department cut backs. Now we are all paying the price.”

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“With all the marijuana gardens in the back yards that Petaluma has allowed and looked the other way, guess what more crime! Thieves love marijuana! Tired of the crime (theft) it brings. Tired of the sickening smell it brings, especially by McDowell School. Do something!”

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“Burglary rates have more than doubled since 2014. Also, crime around the downtown area.”

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