Sacramento thieves are swiping more license plates and putting them on stolen cars, city police figures show.
Police officers took 652 reports of stolen license plates in Sacramento during the first nine months of the year, up 20 percent from the 543 plates reported stolen during the same period last year.
Criminals steal the plates and put them on similar-looking – but stolen – cars, said Sacramento police spokesman Konrad von Schoech. That way, when a cop runs the plate, everything looks legit.
The thefts have taken place across the city, but they've been most prevalent in east Sacramento, the Pocket and near Arden Fair mall, police data show.
Among police beats, downtown Sacramento had the fewest reports of plates stolen during the first nine months of the year.
Getting your license plate stolen is a hassle. It generally requires a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles and $20 to $40 in fees for a replacement plate and, if necessary, a new registration sticker, according to the DMV's Web site.
Once recovered, stolen license plates are returned to the DMV, von Schoech said.
License plate thefts are probably not evidence of a larger resurgence in other types of property crime. Theft across the city is down from last year – including car thefts, city police data show.
FIX THIS
Woodpeckers deface church at Marshall park in Coloma
By Cathy Locke clocke@sacbee.com
Problem: Foothill Farms resident and photographer Mike Meek was dismayed to find that picturesque Emmanuel Church in Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma has fallen victim to birds and bees.
"Woodpeckers are tearing the building up," said Meek, describing holes as big as his fist. He spotted the birds and bees nesting under the eaves. Paint also is flaking off the building, constructed by Methodist and Episcopal congregations in 1855.
Solution: Gary Lyons, park superintendent, said he was aware of the problems but lacks the funds to address all the issues.
He said the church's roof was replaced about a year ago. A plan and cost estimates for additional repairs should be completed within six months.
Repairs should involve removing the facade, eliminating insects and installing expandable foam insulation. "If you simply patch the holes and honey is still in there, the bees will return," Lyons said.
The facade would be reinstalled using as much original material as possible. Replacement boards would have to be custom-made to match the original dimensions. "Those are expensive projects," Lyons said.
The park was threatened with closure earlier this year because of the state's financial crisis. Until new funds surface, Lyons said the park is focusing on the 70,000 schoolchildren who visit the park each year.
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