Alert! Skyliner parked on Ramon had Car Robbed!

[hvydrt]

Its obvious this is a common problem in the area. When it happened to me, the Palm Springs PD didn't seem to give a crap about it, and said they had more important things to do.

[FIGHT ON]

Wow, bad scene. I was lucky then. I went twice last year and both times stuff was left on the seats in the car. The first time I went with a friend and parked in the museum lot, bailed out real fast and started to hike right away to make up for starting late to beat the heat.
The second time I went by myself and slept in the back of my car and left earlier like 3 am. This time I left my nice sleeping bag and a whole lot of stuff of value out. Wasn't aware of this problem. This really bothers me. If I lived close by and the cops said they had more important things to do I would do what ever it takes to catch the person(s).
So there are homeless living in the lower parts of the hills near the trails????
If I were a female and wanted to hike that trail alone? First of all I wouldn't. Second if I HAD to for some reason and I am not sure if it's legal but I would carry more than just a knife that I could get to in less than half a second. I think you girls are nuts to hike alone. I often am way back on some trail and out of nowhere and come across some girl, alone. Every time I expect to see her husband or boy friend either just ahead or right behind but NO! ALONE!! I just shake my head and think eventually she is gonna run into some nut. And if it is true that homeless are lurking the trail head areas, then I would never go solo.

[Norris]

Reading about all these vehicle break-ins, I realize I have been very lucky. I parked in the museum parking lot last November (my failed solo effort) very near the cut in the wall with no issues, and parked on West Tahquitz Canyon Way on Friday night/Sat morning with no problem. I chose to park on the street this time, because from all the recent postings on this board, it seemed like a ton of people were going up and if we all parked at the Museum, they might decide to tow. As a precaution, I totally emptied my SUV and left everything at the motel I stayed in. However, I did not leave the glove box open and obviously empty, nor did I raise the lid to the box between the front seats to indicate it was empty. Next time, I will do that, and maybe even tape a note to the inside of the glass saying the vehicle is empty. Of course, that assumes the perpetrator(s) can read...

[Jacek]

Sorry to hear about the car.

By the way, how safe is it to leave cars at Humber Park? I have not had issues yet, but wonder if anyone has had their car broken into there.

[FIGHT ON]

I don't know but I doubt it. Too cold for the bums. Nice and warm down near the flats.

[halhiker]

I work in Indian Wells and we get cars broken into enough so that when it happens it's not a surprise. The people who do this are not bums or homeless but organized criminals who are looking for something to steal and get out quickly. I saw a report on the news that GPS units are the hot ticket for thieves these days. They look for the holder on the windshield or even the suction cup marks and are able to bust a window and get the device quickly.

It's too bad they're hitting the trailhead but it's not something only associated with Palm Springs.

[Norris]

Jacek: to answer your question, I never had a problem with parking at Humber park for Devil's slide trail. Must have parked there at least a dozen times, with all sorts of stuff visible in the car.

[FIGHT ON]

Ya, I guess the bums and homeless people wouldn't know what to do with cell phones, purses, wallets with credit cards and drivers license, clothes, and car keys to other cars.

[Rick M]

Parked at Humber Park night of March 31 on a solo hike up San Jacinto and was the only vehicle in the parking lot (I hate being the only one but you never know). About 10 years ago there was one other vehicle at a trail head we were at there was only one vehicle there. About a quarter mile up the trail we passed by two guys coming down (no packs). My friend forgot something and turned back to get it. Said he heard glass break and got there just in time to see them speed off...they took very little.

In over 35 years I've been involved in 5 trail head break ins. Really not much you can do. If you really let this worry you, sell your car and don't go out. I've had two 4x4 trucks stole (one recovered trashed with two ice axes and other stuff gone) both uninsured for theft, OUCH! As some have mentioned, there are some things you can do to reduce breakins...nothing valuable in sight, if you park somewhere other than trail head you might consider dropping of packs/people not at the trail head and park somewhere else and leave the vehicle like you intend to return soon (not carrying your day pack).

On one of those five experiences I mentioned, they hit at 2 am when we were asleep in our bags on the ground and one of our party was sleeping in the back seat. We appearantly left the truck lid open and they helped theirselves to our gear (fortunately after our Rainier climb).

[zippetydude]

Rick: Cool flower protection helmet. I always wear one myself.

z