Is it safe reasonably to park at Watt Ave now

[Grampa Spey]

I would like to come up for some half pounders and just to get back in the groove re my old and newer Spey/Swich rods, lines and tips.

So do we need an armed guard or killer pit bull to protect our vehicles?

Thanks,
Dave

[BillB]

Seems to be the constant question on my mind too Grampa. I don't know many from that area but everyone I do know has been broken in/vandalized at some time. Charlie Gonzales will pick up clients at their motel to prevent such a thing, however, on my last trip someone broke Charlie's window! I would make the nearly 200 mile trip more often if I thought I could park my car without it being damaged.

[Jeff C.]

There is no place safe to park you vehicle along the American Parkway. There are jsut some places that are worst than others. At Rossmoor or El Manto, you might as well leave your windows down with a $20 bill on the front seat. Watt is ok mid-day when there a lot of people around. Most break-ins occur there during early morning. The Parks crews used to go from parking lot to parking lot daily just sweeping up glass but with the budget cuts they are leaving the broken glass on the ground longer. I saw that at Arden Pond yesterday afternoon.

[Bob Laskodi]

I am not local to the AR. And like many others have stated, it's a long drive for me to get there. And like many others have stated, I am making that trip far less frequently because I'm tired of getting my car broken into. As a result, I am not supporting the local economy as much, so I'm spending less $$$ there because I'm fishing else where. It seems to me that the local chamber of commerce's should be interested in spearheading pressure to be put on park authorities to increase patrols and putting an end to this baloney. Sadly, I have emailed both the Fair Oaks & Rancho Cordova CoC telling them that I'm not supporting their local businesses any longer, but I have not received any replies whatsoever from these CoC in response to my security concerns.

[mikel]

I am not local to the AR. And like many others have stated, it's a long drive for me to get there. And like many others have stated, I am making that trip far less frequently because I'm tired of getting my car broken into. As a result, I am not supporting the local economy as much, so I'm spending less $$$ there because I'm fishing else where. It seems to me that the local chamber of commerce's should be interested in spearheading pressure to be put on park authorities to increase patrols and putting an end to this baloney. Sadly, I have emailed both the Fair Oaks & Rancho Cordova CoC telling them that I'm not supporting their local businesses any longer, but I have not received any replies whatsoever from these CoC in response to my security concerns.

Exactly! On the rare occasions I fish the AR with Charlie he has me park in a neighborhood for safety. I REGULARLY drive an extra 2 hours to get someplace SAFE to leave my rig and fish, Pretty sad commentary on our state's capital.

-Mike

[wjorg]

So Ive fished the river many, many times and never had a problem. I know Ive dodged the bullet for too long and its my turn. I often have extra rods/reels and Im anxious the whole time I fish sometimes. But Ill also say I engage the methheads, prostitutes and weirdos....talk to them, ask them how they are. Often they're intrigued by fisherman, and sometimes they appreciate the respect if even just a passing hello. Thats how I managed growing up as a skinny kid in "rough" neighborhoods(didnt grow up in bedford stiverson...). Only got mugged once...

[Tiger]

This place is so messed up the "Moon is Jumping Over the Cow!!!!!"

[STEELIES/26c3]

I have been broken into twice in the last 12 years.

I knew I was taking a risk both times I parked where I did.

There are ways to avoid or at least drastically reduce the odds of a break in by strategically parking.

Case in point = Watt Ave.

Under the bridge early and late there's a good chance of smashed windows.... Drive to the far, upriver end (where many members here like to fish) and there is a greater chance of break in at any time of the day.

The reason Rosmoor Bar and El Manto are the 2 worst offenders is because each has a very long entrance road from the surface streets to the river and especially crooks working in pairs... can see a ranger, county employee, police officer, or other civilian at least 2-4 driving minutes before s/he would be able to drive down to where the perpetrator is. So, crook A parks up near the entrance and crook B parks by your vehicle and they communicate via cell phone and wreak havoc on your vehicle.

Back to Watt (and Howe and Arden and any other fishing access).

I have an annual park pass BUT if I go to Watt, I park on Watt near the overpass. It has constant traffic from college students, commuters, other recreationists and enough incidental police monitoring to thwart a break in.

The more you expose your vehicle, the less vulnerable it is to a break in.

At Arden, park in the neighborhood and walk the extra 1/4 to 1 mile in and you will get a bit more exercise and a LOT more peace of mind whilst you fish.

Hope this helps~:)

Mark, the friendly gear guy~;)

[Bryan Morgan]

You are always taking a chance. My C. Converter was cut out between 10-2:00 PM right under the bridge at Watt. on a Friday. Dozens of people riding, jogging or walking by. Bottom line is, make it as hard for the pukes as you can to do what they are trying to do. You can't rely on security. Your better off driving down ther in an AMC Gremlin.

[BillB]

Ill also say I engage the methheads, prostitutes and weirdos....talk to them, ask them how they are.


I would have loved to have "engaged" the folks who took out my window, but alas I was on the river and I didn't have the fortune to see the event. Genius that I am, I parked towards the end of the road at Watt so people exiting/entering their cars would not destroy my car. Trade off! I didn't receive any dings, just lost a window and two pieces of luggage. As Steelies says that is a bad place so far up the road.

[Woodman]

You just can't leave anything of any value in your car anywhere in California. Can't bring extra rods/reels and not take them with you, etc. Unfortunately, our chosen pasttime lets people know we may be far from our vehicles. With the current economy, the situation is even worse. Only solution may be to lower the decuctible on your auto and homeowners insurance...but if you make a claim they cancel you.

[Steelhead Guide]

And NO, Watt and the AR are never safe. When I wade and hop holes I take my beater car 95 honda that looks like hell and has no radio. It is the only thing never messed with on the River. When I take the boat I try and park at the Gas station or the Taco Bell on Howe then just walk.

[Ed Wahl]

Don't fish the American.

Too dangerous.

Criminals, outlaws, homeless people, land sharks, hookers, buggerers, buggerees, gangs, punks, barbeques, killer rabbits, old fenders, rangers, broken glass, broken pipes, broken hearts, spacemen, philanderers, syndicators, backbiters, toebiters, snakes, scorpions, spiders, thiefs, snitches, stoolies, scabs, boogeymen, boogeywomen, buggers, nasty minded ducks, rabid beavers, exposed beavers, glory holes, bung holes, muskrat holes, holes in one, holes in the wall, holier than thou types, klingons, naked women, fat dudes, Phil, old tv's, wheelchairs, old people, cats, dealers, kids, poison oak, thorns, daipers, beer cans, beer, old fishing line, dead goats, dead dogs, dead etc, muffler thieves, muffler installers, artists, deadbeats, lunatics, zealots, and the most obnoxious of all, those damn snooty fly fishermen.

That's just off the top of my head, with a little Singleton added. With all those threats to our precious selves and possesions why would anyone ever fish such a hellhole?

Better to just stay away. I hear cable has plenty of fishing shows to watch all from the comfort and safety of your living room sofa.

Although......

Radon gas, dust mites, old farts, new farts, atrophied muscles, back pain, ........... oh never mind.

Ed

[Darian]

NAKED WOMEN :question: :question: :question: :question: :question: :eek: Count me in!!!!!!!! :nod: (depending on.... Oh,.... Never mind....) ;)

[Fats]

Don't fish the American.

Too dangerous.

Criminals, outlaws, homeless people, land sharks, hookers, buggerers, buggerees, gangs, punks, barbeques, killer rabbits, old fenders, rangers, broken glass, broken pipes, broken hearts, spacemen, philanderers, syndicators, backbiters, toebiters, snakes, scorpions, spiders, thiefs, snitches, stoolies, scabs, boogeymen, boogeywomen, buggers, nasty minded ducks, rabid beavers, exposed beavers, glory holes, bung holes, muskrat holes, holes in one, holes in the wall, holier than thou types, klingons, naked women, fat dudes, Phil, old tv's, wheelchairs, old people, cats, dealers, kids, poison oak, thorns, daipers, beer cans, beer, old fishing line, dead goats, dead dogs, dead etc, muffler thieves, muffler installers, artists, deadbeats, lunatics, zealots, and the most obnoxious of all, those damn snooty fly fishermen.

That's just off the top of my head, with a little Singleton added. With all those threats to our precious selves and possesions why would anyone ever fish such a hellhole?

Better to just stay away. I hear cable has plenty of fishing shows to watch all from the comfort and safety of your living room sofa.

Although......

Radon gas, dust mites, old farts, new farts, atrophied muscles, back pain, ........... oh never mind.

Ed

I think you said buggers twice.... quit trying to exaggerate!

;)

[Jaybinder]

I surf north of Santa Cruz sometimes. Every turn out or parking lot is covered with glass. I leave a window down and NOTHING in the car. It has worked for a long time.
The other option is to get a friend to drive.:D

[nor cal steelie]

I learned the hard way a few years back , Ill never go there agian !! Today when ever I fish the valley (anywere ) I leave nothing in the truck , the windows down and a emty pistol belt on the dash , with a few hollow point rounds laying around . Mark

[Phil Synhorst]

fat dudes, Phil, old tv's,

Ed

Pardon me good Sir. But, I believe I should be a little closer to the top of the list, and definitely not stuck between fat dudes, and old tv's.:angry:

[Jaybinder]

not stuck between fat dudes, and old tv's.:angry:

Stuck??:-k

[Ed Wahl]

Stuck??:-k

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Phil Synhorst]

Stuck??:-k

I know, I know....a precarious place to be indeed.:oops:

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have been parking at Watt and fishing the river for about 40 years with no break-ins but I am just waiting for it to happen.

Last week I came over the levee into the river and turned right and parked on the right facing the levee and out in the open.

[Larry Williamson]

I do not think the authorities realize that these vandals are probably into other crimes. With these great CALPERS type pensions, we need a more intense effort. I remember in the Marin headlands in the early seventies there were breakins; the MPs hid in the hills during prime time for a few days and they caught them. Of course, there were nuclear tip missles in the neighborhod then.
This same lack of intense effort occurs in the Berkeley Marina also. Broken windows keep occuring. There it is the Berkeley Police responsibility. On the positive side, I have seen the Highway Patrol hiding in the back part of NorttWest Sunrise. He told me that the golf parking lot at Ancil Hoffman has more problems than you would think. So at least the CHP puts some effort into it.
I never see the Fair Oaks Police at the Bannister parking lot. The breakins are rampant there. I confronted a Fair Oaks Policeman standing next to the Waldork School Gate about this problem. The old guy did not look too happy and I made sure I did a total stop at the Stop SIgn when I left. He gave me an ugly look.
Larry

[Darian]

Larry,.... Not sure what newspaper you've been reading lately but local governments have been laying off law enforcement positions/people due to lack of revenue and budget reductions for the last two years now. For example, the SacBee, this week, that the county has reduced the number of Park Rangers for the river parkway from 22 to 10 badge toters over last year. :neutral:

Lest you think that's all, every time one of the unincorporated areas becomes a city, they either contract with the county sheriff's office for law enforcement or hire their own force from other agencies (including the sheriffs office). All of this means that every time there's a lay-off in a local law enforcement agency, the overall number of officers on the streets is reduced for this area. I'm not defending anybody, just pointing out todays reality.... :neutral:

Nice to point out crime problems in an area but probably not a wise move to taunt law enforcement people with criticisms that they have little or nothing to do with.... :neutral:

[BillB]

Don't fish the American.

Too dangerous.

. . . beer cans, beer, old fishing line, dead goats, dead dogs . . .





Ed

Hey Ed can I be between beer cans and beer? I prefer the stuff that comes in bottles, with the exception of Guiness Draft though.

Speaking of old dudes and naked in the same sentence, when last fishing with Charlie, we observed a gentleman in his "tighty whities" tossing boulders. One after another, tossing boulders. After removing part of the river bank he promptly assumed ti chi pose. It finally occurred to us that he elderly gent, who could have been 85, was exercising! His cool down consisted of a skinny dip in the river, after which he exited the river, no more "tighty whities", toweled dry and was off to the office.

[Grampa Spey]

Sounds like the situation has gotten worse.

Since I posted my question, I talked to a friend who lives in Sac about the breakins.

He said that the breakins happen there and other places, and since he, his wife and daughter drive Toyotas, their vehicles are a prime target with the Honda brands right after.

[Pimpinmeat]

With the economy going the direction that it is, there might be a few more people with a a little extra time on there hands. Maybe it's time to start working on a volunteer type patrol, maybe with some kind incentives. It's sucks that I don't live there but I would be all over something like this. It's one of my favorite places to fish (even though I haven't been in a while) and hate the thought of driving 7 hours to get my window smashed. I can do that here in a lot places 5 mins away. Just my thoughts.

[wjorg]

I will tell you the story again of the "retired firefighter flyfisherman" around the kern river who used a bait car, and then chained the criminals in the access point. And I believe with shotguns pointed at the car, they then proceeded to rearrange the exterior of the vehicle with metal basball bats, and then left without unchaining the access point. I think its maybe exaggerated now, but I remember it being safe to leave your car around the kern for a few years after that....

We have some jerkoff cutting the plants in golden gate park. Real rare or old plants. Theyve got little armies looking for mexicans growing weed in the parks and forests, can we borrow those guys w/ night vision for a few days?

Im not for vigilante justice(They figured out Charles Bronson in the first film?), but you think a reputable undercover force could get these creeps fast, but they do probably have higher priorities knowing Sac or SF....

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have parked there twice since this post started?

I about 45 years of fishing the Lower American River I have not had a car problem but someone did steal my car right out of our store's parking lot once.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

I have parked there twice since this post started?

I about 45 years of fishing the Lower American River I have not had a car problem but someone did steal my car right out of our store's parking lot once.

We talked about waiting and catching them for years.

Things will probably just get worse as time goes on.

[gottaredguitar]

I've been three times on the American Parkway in the last 10 days, once in the evening and twice early morning. I know Sacramento isn't Mayberry, but Gheez!!! The most dangerous part is worrying that some 90 lb, 50 yr old woman power-walking is gonnna hit my pickup as I'm crossing the bike trail! :-({|=

[BillB]

Hey I hear ya Redguitar! The old gal took out my window and stole my clothes.

[wjorg]

....she has an amazing trick when she takes her false teeth out....watch out!

[BillB]

I hear that's how she breaks the window! Some, I've heard, use a spark plug. Not Grannie. Titanium teeth! Used the same teeth to jack a catalytic converter! Talk about Jaws.

[Mark Kranhold]

Drove through William B. Pond last night around 7 p.m. Just three stalls down from the pay station someones window fell short. Glass all over the asphalt. I would truely love to take those thiefs heads off with my Woodsman's Pal or just a nice piece of hickory. That happend to me years ago at upper sunrise. They cleaned my truck out, never parked there since. I'm still STEAMIN!

[wjorg]

You guys dont even need to be violent. And none of you are gonna do anything violent anyway, or id have read about it already in the newspaper. Use a real shitty car and dont wash or comb your hair. Bring some frozen gatorades for the heat and hang out in the parking lot. Just write down the license plates of the hoodlems, and the make/model/description of vehicle and description of person and their clothing. Watch them break a window even for christs sake! The police take it SERIOUSLY then. Then call the Sheriff, AND the COPS AND the CHP with that info. DONT CALL 911, call each of the specific agency phone numbers. Even if they dont get them right then, they will track them down like they did that Placerville bunch...do you remember how much stuff that one group had stolen and still in a storage unit and their house?

Usually what you have is a two to three man team. Like Steelies26c3 said, one stays up top, one cases the cars. They might come in one or two vehicles. Always think about getting make/model vehicle and GOOD description of people. "Late model 80's sedan. Mostly blue, peeling paint, with dent to right rear quarterpanel. CA plates, first digits 2XLF4.... White male, early 40's, balding, white t shirt, blue jean shorts."

People, call the cops and "exaggerate," telling them the person looks like they were "casing vehicles." Make the report as an "anonymous caller." The cops WILL come. Those scum talk amongst themselves. If word gets out where they get harassed, they will not stick around. Be vigilant. Its your community they parasitize from.

This is how you get crooks in the city. Maybe dont fish one day? This is not as hopeless as you all make it out to be. Theres probably 8 crooks working it and 50 kienes guys pissing and moaning...

Settles whether or not Im coming today tho....