Los Altos Seen: Don't Pick The Apricots!

Orchard growers have been fighting this battle since this was the Valley of the Heart's Delight, but now that there are fewer apricot orchards, the fruit seems more dear.

The city's deal to keep the orchard heritage of Los Altos alive at the civic center also is someone's bread and butter.

"I say to them, 'I know these are very tempting fruit but you can't pick them," said Sgt. John Korges. "Usually they say, but they are on public property!' and I have to say, "But the agreement is that person is allowed to recoup the crop."

"Most people, if you inform them of the law, they will comply."

In the old days, pilferers might have risked a little buckshot. Consider the municipal ordinance a modern version of that.