Vandalism spree worries homeowners

A surge in car vandalism is costing one local community thousands of dollars in damage and leaving residents uncertain about the safety of their vehicles.

Sheila Wenz lives on Park Granada at the Oak Park Condominium complex. Wenz's car was parked last month on Park Capri near the Calabasas Lake when her Mercedes was "keyed" by a vandal.

"I've been told by some kids that it's the new thing to do," Wenz said. "Kids go around and see how many high-end vehicles they can key. It's mean-spirited. I guess they assume that if you have a nice car, it's not a big deal. But as a matter of fact it is a big deal. They don't know who they are hurting."

The damage totaled $1,200, Wenz said. More than $1,000 in damage can lead to felony charge.

"This isn't like throwing an egg," Wenz said. "These are felonies. I don't know if parents know their kids are committing serious crimes."

Police told her there had been an increase in vandalism in the area, including an attack on five cars on Park Granada in one night.

Park Granada is a heavily parked street, especially with holiday shopping in full swing at The Commons.

Officer Lozaro Sanchez of the Lost Hills Sheriff's Station said the incidents are not a harbinger of the future.

"It was one night," Sanchez said. "It must have been somebody walking by and scratching vehicles."

Wenz said employees at Paradigm Association Management Group, the company that manages her condominium complex, confirmed that there had been a rash of car vandalism and property damage at Calabasas Oak Park.

"The board of directors and management (are) working to keep Oak Park Calabasas secure and the best place to call home," said Krisi Davis, the community association manager at Calabasas Oak Park. "The community has Securitas Security Service in place to monitor the community. Perimeter checks are done day and night, and all parties work with law enforcement as needed."

Wenz would like to see more safety measures put into place.

"People may be under the assumption that these roads are in a nice safe, neighborhood, but that is far from the case," she said. "There are no security cameras or guards at the lake or in the surrounding areas.

"I wish someone had told us this was going on," Wenz said. "I wouldn't have parked on the street."