SEAL BEACH : Burglaries Spark Leisure World Fear

A rare series of burglaries inside the security gates of Leisure World has troubled some residents of the retirement community, who see their neighborhood as a haven from crime.

The thefts of four purses over a two-night period in late September, described as unprecedented by Edward Valenzuela, chief of the community’s private security patrol, appear to be the work of a single individual, police said.

Investigators have no suspects in the case but believe the burglar could be a guest or relative of one of the community’s residents, said Seal Beach police Detective Jim Johnson.

The thefts have shaken one of the victims, Mary Frump, who moved to Leisure World nearly 15 years ago.

“I never dreamed anyone would come into my house. I’ve always felt as safe as anyone can be here,” Frump said. “Now I’m kind of shaky. I think they can get into anyone’s house.”

In response to the burglaries, Leisure World security officials have urged residents to keep their doors and windows locked and to report anyone unusual on the grounds. Residents have also been asked to keep track of guest passes they hand out.

“We get lulled into the sense that things here are the way they used to be and that we don’t have to lock our doors,” said Bill Doane, the Seal Beach city councilman who represents Leisure World’s nearly 9,000 residents. “We’re doing whatever we can to clamp down on security.”

The circumstances of all four burglaries are similar, police said. In all cases, forced entry was not necessary because a window or door in each home was unlocked or open, Johnson said. The burglar made off with a total of about $600 in cash.