I don't know, call me weird but would you?

...let SO much personal information be published about you and your family in regards to being a victim of a home invasion? Please, please don't call me heartless, because I am not. Having someone break into your home would be terrifying, especially while you are home with your 2 helpless children. This happened only 4 blocks west and 3 main streets south of me! It's down right frightening for Lynden! For anywhere, really!

Some background for those of you who don't know me very well. I'm a born and raised So. California city girl (and proud of it!). I grew up in the world of the Police Department. My Mom was a dispatcher for 12 years, took part as the secretary in a pilot program called "Neighborhood Watch" for 2 years, and then finished her 18 year working outside of the home career as the secretary of the Detective Bureau. I was a "cop kid" and so no one messed with our family. I was taught A LOT of "street" smarts from the cop side of things. And EVERYTHING in this article is wrong. The name of the victim, her children, AND her husband should not have been published. And we all now know that he works a night shift and she's home alone!!

I also have had some personal experience with the Lynden Tribune a few years back due to being the President of our Homeowners Association. They are not the most responsible or reliable at reporting news. In fact, we cancelled our subscription within 2 years of moving here. I have no respect for them in any way, shape, or form.

So who knows, is this an error of the PD or the Tribune?

For those who "teased" me (and there were MANY) when we moved to Lynden (15 years ago)because I lock my doors to my house and my car AND have a security alarm in our home, THIS is why!!! If someone is going to come inside my home, I want to know they are coming inside. We didn't always have a security alarm either. I grew up without one! It wasn't until our last home in CA that we had one from the previous owners. We fell in love with the security of it. Plus the fact, Miss Amber LOVED trying to go outside on her own when she was a toddler. We called our "ding, ding ding" sound our "Amber alert". :D

So take this article for what it is. Be careful! Be safe! Lock you doors! Even when you are inside!


Police: Lynden woman attacked, beaten
Submitted by the Tribune on February 11, 2009 - 2:27pm. News
Mark ReimersTribune reporter
  LYNDEN -- A Lynden woman was attacked by a man who walked into her family apartment while she was preparing her children’s formula on Saturday, Jan. 31. Lynden Police Chief Jack Foster said Stephanie Brooks, 21, was reportedly beaten by the intruder, causing black eyes and other injuries. The intruder also allegedly tried to pulled the victim’s pants down, but left after she kneed him in the groin. Foster said the woman claims no acquaintance with the attacker, but she described him as white, 20 to 40 years old with an average build and just over six feet tall. The man also had short dark hair, a goatee and a right hoop earring. Police were dispatched around 7:20 p.m. after the woman called her husband, Bob, who works a night shift, who then called police. Dogs used to obtain a track of the assailant failed to find anything, Foster said, which may simply mean the man drove a car to the apartment in the 700 block of Judson St. Police are continuing to investigate the incident. Area media reported in November that the couple has twin 18-month daughters, Halley and Avery, who doctors suspect have a mitochondrial disorder, which affects the body’s ability to convert food into oxygen. Attempts by the Tribune to contact the family have been unsuccessful.

The following article was conveniently published directly underneath.

Lynden business holds fundraiser for Brooks twins
  LYNDEN -- Jeremy’s Watch & Clock Repair is holding a benefit for the Brooks family. Five dollars will be donated to the family for every watch battery changed at the business on Saturday, Feb. 14. The business will also collect items for the twins, including toys, clothes and books. The business is located at 102 Grover St., Suite 104. Business hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  E-mail Mark Reimers at reporter@lyndentribune.com.