Life in Manteca 106: Crime Three Houses Down

Miranda and I came home from the temple yesterday at about 2 p.m. we were presented with crime crime tape across the road which prevented us from going up our street.  We turned right into the area by the park thinking we would go around the park and then hit our road, but we noticed that the intersection by the school was blocked off, so we turned around and went back the way we came, went up Atherton to the next entrance which could get us home, and we were successful that way.  Turns our there was a shooting, with lots of crime tape and area blocked off.  The home involved is three house down from ours as the crow flies, or out the end of our cul de sac and down the road. 
Our first report, after calling the neighbors, was that it was a drive-by shooting.  However now the rumor is a drug sell gone bad. Who knows, I guess it is best not to conjecture.  The early news reports tells the story this way:
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/m/section/1/article/113110/
At any rate, pretty scary.  Sheri and Tony (who was at the neighbors and a house closer) did not hear anything.  I guess a couple homes were hit.  It is conceivable, but very unlikely that a stray bullet could have made it to our back yard.  We have to be grateful for every day God grants us, and rely on his protective hand. 

Life in Manteca 101: Copper Theft, Bus Robbery and Bank Robbery

We are in the midst of a high crime area, yet we feel safe.  I wonder if we are naive.  This week there was a theft during the night at the hotel close to our home.  The Tillamook Cheese truck was stolen, with three vintage Volkswagon buses, painted orange and labeled for the company.  The trailer truck was found, but burned.  The three buses are still on the loose.
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/section/1/article/110454/
Then before these, our parks are being burglarized for the copper wiring in the lights.  It is beyond ridiculous.  This article blames drug dealers, but I think there is an organized element to all of this.  
Someone must be organizing all this.
http://www.mantecabulletin.com/section/174/article/105880/

Today, on the radio, was the story of a bank robbery in Stockton with taking of hostages, high speed chance, spraying the community with bullets, and finally death.  This is just crazy.

Life in Manteca 81: Sister Thomas' Husband Passes Away and Criminal Behavior

Sister Thomas' husband is younger than I, yet he passed away suddenly from a heart attack.  Sister Thomas often substitutes as chorister and is in the ward choir where she sings tenor.
Bishop asked me to sing "Amazing Grace."  I always like to sing, and I did better with this song than I did for the stake Broadway review.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.


Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

I really liked the last verse, and sang it softer for effect.

Now for a different topic.  I am bringing this up so we can all be aware and on the lookout.  Sheri and April walk together, and have noticed holes by the light posts.  Yesterday they saw a city crew repairing the damage and asked them what was up.  Turns out people have been trying to break into the control center for the street lamps and steal the copper.  They rarely actually get to the copper, and cause expensive damage.  If they actually do get anything it is maybe $100 worth, causing $2000 damage in the meantime.  All of us pay for the damage the inflict, so we should be on the look out.  They also put the community in danger from dark street lamps.

They usually don't get through, just cause damage

$2000 damage

Last topic, our neighborhood is changing.  The residential area is filling in with houses.  Use to be you could walk cross country, but not any more.  Too many houses.  We also have a new subdivision going in behind us.  Fortunately there are plenty of parks as well.

All new houses in the last couple months

Life in Manteca 61: Crime

Unfortunately not all is loverly in Manteca.  We live between Stockton and Modesto, two of the highest car burglary cities in the state.  Stockton is also known for murders, and jewelry theft.  I had heard of car before, at the movie theater mostly.  We also take turns at church patrolling the parking lot.
However this week, this problem effected my family directly, and it doesn't sit very well.  We were all enjoying a game night, and Charity got a call that someone was using her credit accounts and card.  She went to her car and discovered the back window had been broken.  Some attempts at her account were declined, but some were not.  They also need to replace there back window.
We live at the end of a cul de sac, but there is pedestrian passage to the street.  They took advantage of this.  They had  their accounts closed, and have to careful in redoing them as are still vulnerable to identity theft.
It makes me wonder why we tolerate this kind of behavior in others?  Why is it so easy to make crime pay?  What kind of inhuman would try to spoil the Christmas of others?
I guess we go on; but it is not fun to be violated.  I dealt with it by sweeping glass.  Police were informed.  However it would only be luck if something comes out  of that.