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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

City over run by burglaries offers lock-picking class

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — The mayor of a California city struggling with a spike in burglaries and other crimes is apologizing for promoting a class about how to pick locks in her newsletter.

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said Wednesday she understood the reaction of people who were upset about a listing for the lock-picking class. She said she will do a better job reviewing listings in the future.

The Oakland Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/WsyCqq) that the class — offered through the website, workshopweekend.net — was geared toward people who misplace their keys. But it didn't go over well with some residents given the city's crime woes, including a more-than 40 percent jump in burglaries last year.



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