lake forest shores

Grinch that Stole Christmas

December 24, 2021

Merry Christmas (Happy Holidays) to everyone at Lake Forest Shores! May your holiday sparkle with joy, warmth and love, and may your wishes come true. Naughty or nice, Santa will be coming down your chimney with wonderful treats or perhaps, a bag of coal. Actually, a bag of coal to help warm up them tired bones during the cold season doesn't sound too bad, but I wouldn't recommend it due to the need for careful handling and ventilation.

Nonetheless, I'm sure that most of you are done with your Christmas shopping. Even though the lines at the stores seemed to be endless. Luckily, online shopping is available, but it does come with its own challenges, such as timely deliveries and the prevention of package delivery theft.


Unfortunately, package delivery theft has greatly increased with the usage of online shopping. As indicated by the LFCA newsletter, people within our surrounding community have reported mail / package theft. If you are curious to see how it is done, there are plenty of YouTube videos capturing these types of criminals in the act via doorbell cameras.

The bad news is not much can be done about it legally, so it is up to the homeowners / residents to take precautionary measures in order to minimize the chances of becoming a victim. Google trend ranks California as being #4 within the top 10 regions for package theft. And when does it mostly happen? The spike in package delivery theft comes right after Black Friday through the end of the Christmas season.

So, what to do?

If you're a victim, please report the crime to the Lake Forest Sheriff's Dept. @ (949) 770-6011. Even though I stated there wasn't much law enforcement could do about the theft, it's always crucial to report theft for statistical reasons. Crime cannot go unreported if change is to happen. Those at the top need to know before any agenda is pushed to help our communities.

Here are some tips to ward off package delivery theft:

1. Install front door security cameras.
2. Use work addresses for receiving goods.
3. Ask a neighbor to watch and hold on to a package.
4. If possible, request a signature upon delivery.
5. Have shipment held at a facility.

I've used several of the listed methods to minimize the possibility of theft. As it stands, statistics for the Lake Forest area show an increase in theft / larceny each year. The results haven't been disclosed for 2021, but I wouldn't be surprised if the numbers were greater than this year. Based on the results for April 2021, the numbers are already at the halfway mark in comparison to the total number of incidences that took place in 2020.

But remember, it's Christmas time! Enjoy this special day with your family and friends. Let's hope for a better year as we move into 2022. And can anyone guess the most "played" song during the Christmas season?


Merry Christmas to all! And if you are paying your HOA fees online, don't forget to adjust the automatic monthly payment for the Beach and Tennis Club to $147 for the 2022 upcoming year.