Yachats Oregon Writer Rick Schultze

Recently in Yachats there was a dark cloud hanging over the community. A series of burglaries in the area had residents on edge. This was not the first time something like this had taken place in Yachats, it had occurred about ten years ago, and Waldport residents had their hands full with a similar scenario several years ago. However in recent times residents had gone back to the peace and tranquility they were used too and were caught off guard by this latest crime wave. Ironically the burglaries had all taken place without forced entry with the exception of one break in where window screens over open windows were pried off. In fact in a couple of the burglaries the victims were at home at the time, just in a different part of the house or asleep. The victims hadn’t locked their doors or shut their windows tight but that’s not unusual in a village like Yachats where normally it’s quite safe.

But this ugly reality caused shock waves in Yachats and Waldport and the surrounding areas, who or whom was behind this random thievery?

As it turns out after some strong detective work by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and anonymous tips from citizens they arrested a 17 year old Yachats youth and charged him with several counts of burglary. He currently is residing in the Lincoln County Juvenile Detention Center.

Now it’s not clear if he acted alone, or with accomplices, but the ominous cloud has been lifted and residents can once again concentrate on things other than trying to solve the crimes and recover their stolen goods.

It’s a real shame in another sense because before the arrest citizens were mumbling about “teenagers” on the loose and that’s an inaccurate portrayal of the majority of teenagers in Yachats, Waldport, Seal Rock and other areas of the coast. The bulk of the teenagers are productive, respectful, and helpful in their communities and the kind of teenagers we should be proud of.

So this cloud that has been lifted hopefully will let the sunshine in to shine on the good youth and let the area residents once again bask in the warmth and safety of their community.

To reach Rick Schultze email yarick@pioneer.net