Oak Park's difficult time

It's hard to accept that our once pristine communities are becoming vulnerable to the same crimes that plague Los Angeles and Ventura County urban areas. Oak Park, for one, is finding out the hard way that the crimes, especially crimes against property, are here to stay.

During the last week of August, Oak Park reported almost 20 auto-related crimes, mostly burglaries in which thieves scouted vehicles parked on neighborhood streets and saw things they couldn't resist taking. Two cars were even stolen.

Sheriff's deputies say Oak Park and surrounding communities have become a "rich feeding ground" for criminals because of the naiveté of vehicle owners who fail to keep their valuables hidden from view, even though doors have been locked. Amazingly, people still walk away from their cars and leave computers, cameras, purses, cellphones and shopping packages in plain view, making the objects tempting targets for any criminal.

The irresponsible owners are almost as much to blame as the crooks themselves. A little self-policing by those who think they're immune to such crimes would help. It would also help if the Ventura County Sheriff increased the number of patrols in the area. Oak Park can no longer be ignored.

The community's growing pains are also evidenced by increasing traffic problems. Cars speeding through neighborhood streets are causing residents to run for cover, literally. On Aug. 20 a speeding motorist crashed into a residential garage on Sunnycrest Drive, a street where "you could ticket people every day for violating the speed limit," resident Sara Piesco tells The Acorn.

Even worse, the community is still trying to process the fateful accident that occurred Aug. 26 on Lindero Canyon Road near Oak Park. A 23-year-old man allegedly driving under the influence struck and killed a woman who was jogging on the side of the road in the early morning hours. The affected families must be feeling unbearable grief.

Life can bring hardship no matter where a person lives. Oak Park has had its share of problems in the past two weeks. It's time to turn the tables.