A San Diego Airport Authority program that has been soundproofing homes in Point Loma for more than 13 years and which has soundproofed more than 2,000 homes, has had its image sullied recently with the report of three thefts by crews working under the program.
The program – called the Quieter Home Program – is funded by grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and is administered by the Airport Authority. It was set up nearly a decade and half ago to mitigate the loud noises from aircraft taking off at Lindbergh Field to homes within a few miles of the airport. The goal is to lower by 5 decibels the noise in houses caused by the airplanes.
But recently a couple in Point Loma went public about their plight from last year when they had valuables stolen from their home while a crew worked in their house as part of the soundproofing program. They wanted to warn others as they have noticed the Quieter Home Program beginning a new phase.
According to the U-T San Diego, the Point Loma couple – Brian and Diane Johnson – “were one of three households that reported thefts after an electrical crew did work on their homes during the Quieter Home’s project in their Park Point Loma neighborhood.”
The U-T report continued:
The Johnsons said they had secured their belongings as the Airport Authority told them before the start of the project, and were in the home during the construction work. They immediately contacted police, the homeowners association, the Airport Authority and the contractor once they realized their items were missing. When the Johnsons reported the crime to the subcontractor, “they immediately knew who it was,” Diane Johnson said. “Everyone’s faces had the same look, like, ‘Not again,’” she said.
A representative from the contractor, the Louisville-based Koch Corporation, disputes the Johnsons’ recollection of the events. Art Swanson, the representative, said both he and the subcontractor “had no clue” as to who it could be, and they immediately contacted law enforcement and the Airport Authority to investigate. Within hours, Swanson said, the investigation narrowed down the potential suspects and ultimately led the contractor to realize who the alleged thief was.
“From my recollection, we did everything we possibly could,” Swanson said. “Nobody was sparing any time or energy in getting to the bottom of it, and if I recall someone was arrested. I’m not sure what more we could have done.” Police detained a suspect, but did not charge him because they didn’t have enough evidence to link him to the crimes.
For the complete article at U-T San Diego, go here.
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