By DOUG CURLEE |\u00a0Mission Times Courier<\/p>\n
Someone \u2014 or several someones \u2014 seem to have a desire to own the street sign for Lambda Drive in Del Cerro.<\/p>\n
A nearby resident has seen at least two thefts and one attempted theft, and she has suspects in mind \u2014 she thinks it\u2019s an ongoing effort by San Diego State fraternity brothers, or perhaps pledges, looking to qualify for membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this point, I\u2019m 100% convinced this is fraternity related,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Veronica (we\u2019re not using her last name, because she knows the thieves saw her watching their efforts, and thinks retribution is a possibility) said the attempted robberies of her neighborhood streets happens late at night or very early in the morning.<\/p>\n
But why?<\/p>\n
Is it in fact what she thinks it is?<\/p>\n
Is it someone who just collects Greek names?<\/p>\n
What other possibilities are there?<\/p>\n
Veronica notes it\u2019s happened three times, all seemingly around the time school opens for the year, and fraternities are rushing pledges, and vice versa. The latest street sign robbery attempt occurred in the early hours of Aug. 19.<\/p>\n
Veronica and her husband heard noises at 2 a.m., went outside and saw someone trying to pry off the street signs at Lambda Drive and Theta Place with a crowbar. The thieves sped off in a large truck, and even tried to return but sped off again when they saw Veronica and her husband still up and on their porch.<\/p>\n
There appears to be only one fraternity at SDSU with Lambda in its name, and it appears to be on inactive status, which doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s gone away \u2014 just unsanctioned. There are four fraternities with Theta in their name.<\/p>\n
The sign has been replaced by the city twice. And a third replacement is now on order because the attempted robbery left the sign post bent and is an eyesore for the neighborhood.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis needs to be investigated, as this is grand theft\u201d Veronica said.<\/p>\n
Well, it may be, but so far, San Diego Police aren\u2019t going out in SWAT gear to take down the crooks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI checked with the Crime Statistics people here, and there is no report on file about any such crime\u201d said SDPD media relations chief Lt. Shawn Takeuchi.<\/p>\n
So it\u2019s not now being investigated as a heavy crime \u2014 and it\u2019s not likely to be, unless another attempt is made, and someone is hurt.<\/p>\n
Landon Santacroce of the city Public Works department thinks this is at best, vandalism.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know it\u2019s happened, and we\u2019ll replace the sign again as it comes up in the repair and replacement schedule,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s certainly not the only such case in the city. People tend to steal street signs for any number of reasons, and we often don\u2019t know why.\u201d<\/p>\n
Veronica\u2019s energetic campaign has gotten the attention of City Council member Scott Sherman\u2019s office and they\u2019re looking to see if police could increase patrols around the area.<\/p>\n
We checked with Fraternity Row, the umbrella organization for Greek life on campus, to see if any word had filtered up to them. We were told there was no one available to talk with us about it, or when anyone might be available.<\/p>\n
So, that\u2019s where it stands right now \u2014 a mystery that no one seems to have answers to.<\/p>\n
Of course, there\u2019s a slight possibility of other suspects \u2014 it should be noted, in the interest of total gender equality, there is a sorority on campus that also has Lambda in its name, and two with Theta.<\/p>\n
Just food for thought.<\/p>\n