There’s been some chatter this week among Clement Street merchants about car break-ins that appear the be on the rise. Burglars are even doing smash and grabs in the middle of the day.

One afternoon this week, a woman parked her Kia SUV at 2pm on Clement Street near 3rd Avenue and went to a meeting. She returned an hour later to find her back window shattered and a piece of luggage missing.

The previous week, a Mercedes SUV was broken into at Clement and Arguello sometime between 5pm and 7pm. A bag containing a laptop was stolen.

Kris McArdle, a State Farm agent with clients on Clement Street, reported three recent incidents.

“We have had two vehicles and one of the merchants I insure broken into just last week between 23rd and 24th street on clement. Both of the vehicles break ins were in the middle of the day around lunch time with plenty of people walking around,” McArdle told other merchants via email.

And finally on Monday night, an SUV had their window broken and a purse stolen on the corner and Clement and 4th Avenue.

Cynthia Huie, head of the Clement Street Merchants Association, contacted the Richmond District police station to ask them to increase patrols along Clement Street.

Break-ins often increase during the holidays as people shop and leave their loot visible in their cars. All thieves need to see is a bag on a seat to make a break-in worth their while.

When you’re parking, remember to keep ANY valuables with you or hidden out of sight in your vehicle.

UPDATE 12/21: Captain Alexa O’Brien of the Richmond station told the CSMA that they plan to increase patrols. “I am in the process of putting together a plainclothes police officer team who will only focus on the car break-in perpetrators pillaging our district. They should be out and about with in the next week…I have increased my foot and bicycle beat patrols throughout my district and have strategically placed them where most of our vehicle break-Ins occur, GG Park, Ocean Beach, Geary St Corridor, Clement Street, etc.”

Sarah B.