These volunteers are keeping their eyes on Whatcom trailheads to deter car prowls
A rise car prowls at trailheads in Whatcom County has prompted a Bellingham man to organize volunteer lookouts to deter break-ins and other crime in remote areas.
Steve Avila, owner of Overhead Door company and Fitness Evolution gym, said he hopes that the weekend trailhead watches will help bring Bellingham-area residents together as neighbors working toward a common purpose.
“Everyone here is very outdoorsy and I chose the trailheads because there’s so much smash-and-grab going on,” Avila told The Bellingham Herald. “People come out of the woodwork to help. It’s a problem everywhere.”
Break-ins usually increase around the start of the summer hiking season, but Avila said he thinks the problem is particularly bad this year, so he reached out using social media to see if an effort like a neighborhood watch would gain traction.
He started the effort in March with several of his employees who were paid to help, and he set up a table with snacks and chatted with hikers.
It’s catching on, Avila said.
There’s a signup sheet available by emailing WhatcomCityZen@gmail.com that lets volunteers know where the weekend event will be and it allows them to register as a lookout.
“I figure that if someone wants to hang out for 30 minutes before their hike, they might meet some new friends,” Avila said.
They’re planning to be at Pine and Cedar Lakes on Saturday, June 11, he said.
Discussions that blame politicians or others for crime are discouraged in an effort to focus on camaraderie and civility, he said.
“We’re starting a movement toward making a positive change in the city. (Bellingham is) a very helping-hands type of city. The whole point is to rally everyone,” Avila said.
Car prowls rising
Bellingham, Whatcom County and State Parks officials told The Herald that criminal activity at trailheads usually increases after the rainy season, when warmer weather draws more people outdoors.
“Anecdotally, we have seen a rise in car prowls at certain parks,” said Meryl Lassen, spokeswoman for Washington State Parks.
“We have several security cameras at Birch Bay and Larrabee located in sensitive areas,” Lassen said. “We will continue to maintain our cameras and have posted signs to remind visitors to take their valuables with them. Our rangers work actively to monitor the parks and educate visitors about safe practices.”
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Herald that crime data specifically for trailheads would be difficult to retrieve.
Murphy said that anyone who sees a theft should get a license plate and description of the car and the people in it.
“Yes, call 911, provide as much detailed information as you safely can. A license plate is always handy for us, as well as a description of the suspect. We do not recommend engaging the suspect as that can have dire consequences,” she said.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Deb Slater told The Herald that car prowls at or near trailheads countywide have been rising since 2017, when there were 30 reported incidents, to 2021, when there were 81.
There were 65 reported car prowls near trailheads Jan. 1 to April 19, Slater said.
Sheriff Bill Elfo said several factors have contributed to those increases, including jail booking restrictions for most property offenses and COVID-related delays in court hearings.
But Avila said he just wants it to stop.
“We post up and we see who’s coming and going,” Avila said. “ Every single time I’ve been on a watch there’s one or two sketchy cars that come in and sit. Regardless of how or why we got here, or whether you think something can be done, I’m doing something,” Avila said. “I know we’ve curtailed it.”
Fewer prowls at Larrabee
One place that’s seen a decline in trailhead break-ins is Larrabee State Park south of Bellingham, said Ranger Kyle Christensen.
“We’ve actually had zero in the last three to four months,” Christensen told The Herald in a voicemail.
“I think the last car prowl we had probably was back in the late winter, to be honest, which is honestly for me very surprising. I think the whole trail crew thing has been really helpful. The volunteers at the trailheads have been helpful, at least for north Chuckanut,” he said.
Christensen said he’s heard radio dispatches for break-ins at Oyster Dome, which is the Washington State Patrol’s responsibility, and at Teddy Bear Cove, which is operated by Whatcom County.
“I’m not sure if it’s because the suspects may know about our cameras that we’ve put up, or if the people have been arrested that were the culprits, we’re not really sure,” he said.
Keep your car safe
Police and parks officials urge visitors to:
▪ Park in well-lit areas or in a place visible from the road.
▪ Don’t leave valuables in cars.
▪ Make sure doors and trunks are locked.
▪ Report any signs of worrisome behavior or activity.
▪ Be aware of your surroundings.
▪ Create a “safety circle” by sharing your hiking plan with someone.
