So far in 2014 the Barrhead RCMP Detachment has seen theft volumes in Barrhead rise close to double what they were last year.
Although the community still remains a safe place to live, petty theft in the area has been escalating at a high rate.
RCMP staff Sgt. Bob Dodds said last year he was concerned because the community was averaging one theft per day. Last week alone the detachment received 17 theft complaints.
“It’s more than doubled here recently, and it’s terrible,” said Dodds.
Issues differ in the Town and County. Dodds said rural households are getting their doors kicked in and their entire house trashed. Thieves are going after smaller items like jewelry and computers, rather than bigger items like high-end televisions.
The detachment has been working with Rural Crime Watch and advising residents to phone the police if they see someone or something that doesn’t look right.
“If somebody comes into your farmyard or onto your acreage and says, ‘I’m looking for Joe Smith,’ they’re not. They’re casing your place out,” said Dodds.
“Try to get us a plate number and call us right away.”
Dodds stressed the urgency of phoning immediately after witnessing or hearing something suspicious.
About 15 days ago the detachment received a phone call from a woman who reported hearing a man’s voice and her dog barking at 2 a.m., however she didn’t phone the RCMP until 8 a.m.
Meanwhile, said Dodds, a man was breaking into her neighbour’s home.
Right now the RCMP is following leads on a couple of different groups in regards to the County break and enters. Last week two individuals were arrested, both of whom Dodds said he thinks are responsible for many of the incidents.
RCMP aren’t seeing break and enters in town, but what the detachment is receiving complaints about is car theft. Dodds is urging the community to take their valuables out of their vehicles.
Dodds added every vehicle should be locked, because thieves aren’t only taking items of value.
“They’re taking stuff like vehicle registrations and insurance papers for no reason,” said Dodds. “There’s nothing they can do with them, but now you’re out your documents and you’ve got to replace them.”
Leave a porch light on at night, and consider investing in motion lights or trail cameras, said Dodds.
Dodds said he believes a lot of the theft in town in drug related. Currently the RCMP has been informed of a group of 12 to 14 people who spend their days looking for items to steal and trade for drugs.
“I think the vast majority of it is drug related. As they spiral downhill they get more and more desperate, they steal more to get more drugs,” said Dodds. “It just continues to get worse until they get caught.”
Dodds has heard concerns from members of the community in regards to resident safety. Although houses and cars are being robbed, no one has been a victim of violence.
“You should be afraid for your belongings but so far, knock on wood, nobody has been hurt or assaulted,” said Dodds. “The level of violence we’ve got here is very low. It’s a very peaceful community, but it’s a petty crime problem.”
However, added Dodds, if you come home and find someone going through your house, don’t want to confront them.
“What you want to do is back off and call the police right away, because these guys are so unpredictable,” said Dodds. “If they feel like you’re trying to contain them, they will go right through you to get away. There are very few possessions that are worth getting beat up over or killed over.”
