A friend of mine’s son’s truck and another truck were broken into, ransacked and looted Sunday morning at The Sands public landing in downtown Port Royal. It occurred sometime after the vehicles were parked right at dawn/daybreak…around 6:30 am.
One investigating officer stated that break-ins rarely occur at The Sands. The other officer stated another break-in happened at the Sands only 2 weeks ago.
As y’all know, I am a staunch supporter of local and state law enforcement, especially DNR. In this case, however, I have to question why there were no patrols at this ramp on a busy Sunday am.
I see Port Royal police almost every time I go into PR. I am especially mindful of the 20 mph school zone and the 25 mph main street limit as well as one of the only one-way streets in the town. I can tell you from unfortunate experience they will stop you…but are courteous and respectful…as I am of them. I just don’t see how, with a prior break-in and knowing the prime time of day for crime there is at night or dusk/dawn, that a patrol wasn’t present or cruising thru.
Most vandals see unattended vehicles in unattended locations as opportunistic targets for cash, firearms and other valuables as well as tools, etc. I know this also from unfortunate experience. I had my Chevy Silverado 4x4 stolen from the student parking lot at Beaufort High…never to be seen again!
Port Royal is a small town…The Sands is a popular destination for boaters, beachgoers and other sightseers and nature lovers. I believe it should be on a regular patrol…if it is not already.
Again…I have lots of respect for law enforcement and they may have patrolled thru 5 minutes earlier…but a regular law enforcement presence is the best deterrent to crimes of this nature.
I know they were there Sunday…as I fished from The Sands not knowing about the above…and saw a car sitting, watching.
What a pain in the @SS… My truck was rummaged through a couple months ago sitting right in my yard. $250 pair of costas on the dash as well as valuable hunting equipment and they didn’t take any of it. Must have been looking for cash or weapons. I hope your friends didn’t lose anything of value.
I did a quick google search for a long range surveillance camera and got this as one link. It’s time for Port Royal to get into the high tech. crime watch business. This is low cost and with the boosted signal has a range of up to 5 miles. This system could be installed for under $10K I believe with 4 cameras at key places in Port Royal. I’m going to follow up on this with the Port Royal manager. It’s a lot cheaper than paying the cost of prosecuting even one dirt bag thief.http://www.vfmstore.com/ir4300wl.html
I just sent an email to the city manager
19ft. Carolina Skiff
w/115hp Yamaha 4stroke
27ft. Contender
w/twin 225hp Yamaha 4stroke
I just learned from a customer that his truck was broken into in the same fashion Saturday evening at around 7 pm. He and I had talked just after he put in and right before I pulled my boat out at 4 pm Saturday. So that’s a pattern of dusk & dawn…
I’m thinking of tapping a note to my window that says “There is nothing of value inside this truck” when I go there next time…hopefully the thiefs can read.
My wife and I live in Port Royal and use the Sands landing frequently. We were told approximately three weeks ago that our neighbor’s truck was vandalized while parked at the landing. He put his boat in just after dawn, returned several hours later to find his back window broken out. This problem seems to be escalating and I think a camera would be a good solution, as well increased police presence and patrol. This is something that needs to be addressed swiftly and I would be happy to help in any way needed (generating funds, raising awareness, neighborhood watch, etc).
In addition to vandalism, we have also experienced an increase in reckless driving and erratic behavior from some of those leaving the Sands. I would ask that you also report excessive speeding and careless driving; it is becoming a hazard to take a family walk in the evening. The Sands is a great asset to our community and we need to ensure that it remains a safe place for everyone.
Since hunting season is a few months away just post a trigger happy redneck somewhere in range.wouldn’t take but one or two crooks to be found shot,beaten and shot again for the message to get through
Since hunting season is a few months away just post a trigger happy redneck somewhere in range.wouldn’t take but one or two crooks to be found shot,beaten and shot again for the message to get through
The red ford is mine we launch out of there all the time never had any problems until Sunday. They left lots of items in the trucks that were valuable they only wanted the cash and fire arms.
