---------- Forwarded message ----------
From:
ken osborn <misterkenosborn@gmail.com>Date: Sun, Jun 7, 2015 at 11:04 PM
Subject: Re: Any new pics from fungal microscopy meetup?
To: Patrik D'haeseleer <
patrikd@gmail.com>
Hi Patrik - I went to the meetup and even brought a microscope, but as I was unloading my car another drove up on the wrong side of the road and opposite the car parked in front of me. Then what happened next was hard to believe, but I then witnessed a smash-and-grab. It happened very fast and was more than a bit confusion because at the same time that was happening I was on the cell with my daughter and another call came in just as the car drove up so I was paying attention completely until I heard the sound of a window breaking, almost like a gun shot. I did not leave immediately but went into the meetup interrupting Alan to let folks know that they should make sure if they drove to the meetup and left anything visible inside their car they should move it so it was not visible. What I saw clearly demonstrated that these guys cruise looking for something they can grab rapidly. They also are very brazen. This was in broad daylight and I don't think they could have missed seeing me while I was on the phone. While I was not about to put myself in harm's way to stop them I did attempt to get the license number but by the time I got to the street they were too far away for me to read the plate. I'm not sure if there is a solution to this as a potential problem for attendance, but I may be taking BART in the future. The problem with that is my wife freaked and said it would be better to have the care damaged than her husband walking alone at night in that part of town. Maybe. The other possibility is to talk to the Oakland PD and see if they would have a patrol car in the area on a regular basis. I have seen lots of broken glass in the street and now recognize it as car break-ins that must be taking place more than occasionally. - Ken