To paraphrase the Jefferson Airplane, it's no secret that the San Francisco Bay Area with all its failure to enforce basic law and order is taking the short road to becoming the next Detroit.
But why stop at Detroit when you can become the next Somalia?
Here's some evidence that that's where they're going, from trade journal BoatBlurb:
It's a headline you don't expect to see in North America, but pirates are now operating in San Francisco Bay.
Major news outlets including the San Francisco Chronicle, CBS News, and ABC have all reported the sudden appearance of thieves and marauders targeting marinas and boaters under the cover of darkness.
According to ABC, thieves are arriving at night aboard small watercraft and using bolt cutters and other break-in tools to gain access to unoccupied boats. Several sailboats have been stolen, as well as small watercraft, dinghies, tools, and outboard motors.
Boat owners are blaming nearby homeless encampments, while police have so far declined to issue a public statement. Boaters are also pointing the finger at 'anchor outs' -- people who keep boats, which are often stolen, and live rent-free by continually moving their anchor location to avoid police.
According to both boaters and coastal residents, crime has skyrocketed over the last six months. So in addition to having to watch the house, the car and the shop for break-ins by armed robbers, some of whom have been found to be connected to Mexico's notorious cartels, heaven help them if they've got a boat.
Click for Full Text!