Alameda, CA|News|
Report: More Ex-Cons on Streets Mean More Auto Thefts
Alameda seems less affected by a statewide increase in property crimes than many other communities.

I started with Patch as the copy editor for 11 Patch sites: Alameda, Albany, Castro Valley, El Cerrito, Hercules, Newark, Piedmont, Pinole, San Leandro, San Lorenzo and Union City. Currently I am the local editor at Piedmont Patch and Alameda Patch. Questions? dixie.jordan@patch.com.
Before coming to Patch, I was the editor and publisher of Parents Press, a magazine for Bay Area parents, for more years than I like to remember. Before that, I was news editor at the Contra Costa Times and a reporter at various Northern California newspapers.
I am a fifth generation Californian who has lived in the East Bay most of my life and a graduate of UC Berkeley. For fun, I volunteer on archaeology digs, mostly in Ireland and the Southwest.
My brilliant and beautiful daughter, Jenny, a school psychologist, just married the charming Chris Davidson and they are living in Austin, Texas — too far way!
Alameda seems less affected by a statewide increase in property crimes than many other communities.

False alarms and plenty of traffic citations also kept Piedmont police busy last week.
The single-alarm fire on Thackeray Drive was limited to a bathroom, fire officials said.
It's still unclear whether the man died due to smoke inhalation or to a medical condition.
The popular shop will soon be known as Craft Beer & Wine.
Monday will be a record-setting ninth consecutive Winter Spare the Air day.
Monday will be a record-setting ninth consecutive Winter Spare the Air day.
The single-alarm fire on Thackeray Drive was limited to a bathroom, fire officials said.
"It's the mystique," says Jim Harrison, one of the adults drawn to the elaborate Walnut Creek Model Railroad with its 1,900-square-foot village and 4,300 feet of train tracks.
The top articles on Piedmont Patch during the past week.
Bloggers who live or work in Piedmont and nearby Oakland neighborhoods explore the area in words and photos.
Popular stories on Alameda Patch during the past week.
Bloggers who live or work in Alameda explore the Island's nooks and crannies in words and photos.
The alert for Sunday places a ban on wood burning once again. The National Weather Service forecasts crisp days and nights all week.
The alert for Sunday places a ban on wood burning once again. The National Weather Service forecasts crisp days and nights all week.
Ron Kremer offers a first-person account of his experience after observing — and taking part — in a weapons class taught by a police officer.
Ron Kremer offers a first-person account of his experience after observing — and taking part — in a weapons class taught by a police officer.
The Walnut Creek Model Railroad warehouse in Larkey Park has a 1,900-square-foot village with 4,300 feet of train tracks. Train shows are scheduled Dec. 27 and n January.
The Walnut Creek Model Railroad warehouse in Larkey Park has a 1,900-square-foot village with 4,300 feet of train tracks. Train shows are scheduled Dec. 27 and in January.
Motor vehicle thefts increased sixfold in Piedmont from 2011 to 2012.