The 2nd Amendment works again! If that neighbor had not had a firearm to defend himself, the incident could have turned into a homicide investigation.

Amazing that in this area there can be eye witness yet they can never release descriptions. This is the new political correctness so as not to offend any individual or group!

Bill, you are spot on! Even our cops are into the "equity and equality" business, all to the detriment of those of us who provide their primary financial support. Walnut Creek permanently closed the main street through their downtown shopping area after the smash and grab robbery @ Nordstrom's late last year. Didn't much matter, as last week "they" showed up at Macy's and did the same thing on a little smaller scale. Seems to me there needs to be some serious re-evaluation of our policing, because without effective solutions to these festering problems, it is quite likely that innocent people will be injured or loose their lives. Now they are brazen enough to follow people home and rob them at gunpoint!

@Paul Clark_ Problem is not the policing, the problem lies with our "progressive" DA Becton. The only "criminals" she has in her scope are police officers, and her anti-police platform has compromised their ability to do their job. Do you blame them? Now that Becton got re-elected, she thinks she has a mandate to be even more pro-criminal and anti-police and anti-crime victim. Criminals know that they can follow nice cars into Danville and even use a gun to commit crimes as she will be soft on them. Shame on you Contra Costa voters for electing this terrible DA Becton, and unless we recall her what happened in Danville yesterday will be a frequent occurrence.

D,
I hate to see this broken down into conservative or liberal approaches. Law enforcement means enforce the laws period. If the DA is responsible for letting these folks out of jail who have multiple past charges of a similar nature, then where is the system breaking down? Who can answer this question of why don't we keep repeat offenders in jail? Trying to get answers to this is like trying to pin down a wet watermelon seed, it just keeps squirting away and can't be pinned down!

This is an example of criminals with guns that are most likely held illegally and people using a gun to protect themselves or their neighbors. If this neighbor had not taken action then this could have ended in a tragedy for those neighbors. Danville is supposed to be the safest city in California which does not say much about the rest of our State.
The problem is not really about guns, anymore than it is cars that are driven by reckless or drunk drivers. Sadly criminals will always find some type of weapon.

As a law-abiding African American citizen, I can understand the concerns being expressed here but they seem to have a racist edge.

I too drive a 'nice car' but would never consider venturing into Danville (whether to dine or shop) as the local police might stop me under the false impression that I was driving a stolen vehicle.

There is a fine line between racial profiling (stereotyping) and reality.

Maybe the shopping center needs to have improved security...like armed guards attired in the latest SWAT attire.

There was no official description of the perpetrators so we have very little to go on as unsubstantiated details can oftentimes be misconstrued by the public raising false alarms.

"I hate to see this broken down into conservative or liberal approaches."

Concurring...like the TV show, this issue is one of 'Law & Order' in which the police must make a proper arrest and the DA's office procecutes the case accordingly.

Cutting slack for repeat offenders only perpetuates criminal activities but the DA must also take into consideration false police reportage and questionable interrogation techniques.

"If that neighbor had not had a firearm to defend himself, the incident could have turned into a homicide investigation."

"If this neighbor had not taken action then this could have ended in a tragedy for those neighbors."

Both are accurate assumptions but how many Danville residents who keep firearms at home are proficient with them?

To curtail home burglaries, we have two pitbulls roaming about the property that only answer to us.

Maybe Danville dog owners need to trade in their docile 'doodle-dogs' for a more protective and agressive canine.

These recent crimes are cause for concern but let's not get all Barney Fife about it.

The Danville PD needs to increase it's neighborhood patrols and the upscale shopping centers should consider hiring armed security guards as a deterrent to retail crime.

I'm sure many Danville residents wouldn't mind their community looking like an banana republic resort area providing everyone feels safer.

@Jamal

You said you can understand the concerns being expressed here, but they seem to have a racist edge. Racist edge?

The initial investigation revealed that "several" suspects armed with handguns tried to rob four residents who had just parked their vehicle.

So, Jamal, if this same incident had happened in your neighborhood, would you not want to know the skin color of the assailants as a way to identify them? Just in case they came back?

A bad guy with a gun is a bad guy with a gun. Period. And by the way, what does not shopping in Danville have to do with this incident?

A wild west shootout should not be occuring in a nice town like Danville and if these events were perpetrated by repeat offenders on parole, probation, early release, or a diversion program, the DA has some answering to do.

While I often disagree with the perspectives of Malcom Hex, Mike Arata, and H, there are certain individuals who need to be imprisoned for longer sentences as per the 'Three Strike Rule.'

One strike is bad enough, two equates to further questionable judgement, and three strikes equals no excuses anymore.

I am assuming that DA Becton acknowledges two strikes as second chance options but there should be not be any allowances for anyone convicted of a third strike regardless of their race, color, or creed.

A fact check is based solely on the discovery of facts, not hyperbole..

Try thinking on your own.

@ Jamal

Racist edge? The article in this same Danville-San Ramon online rag about the Macy's "smash-n-grab" gave very specific details on the get-away car -- white, older model, 4-door, Honda. Yet not a blip was said about the description of the 3 suspects.

The suspects were black. There. I said it.

It's just as racist to dance around, cover it up and ignore the perp's description so as not to offend the perpetually offended.

But by all means, give us a good, clear description of the car -- so the police can arrest -- the car. SMFH.

According to the FBI, African Americans commit far fewer crimes than white Americans. Then again, these white criminals most likely hail from less than desirable communities that bear little resemblance to that of Danville/San Ramon.

To be noted...African Americans comprise only 13% of the American population so in that respect, their crime numbers are still somewhat high.

These are the numbers as per law enforcement (aka fact check).

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