Property crimes continue to be a problem in Barrhead.
The evidence to this statement appears in our weekly RCMP reports and in our bi-weekly court briefs.
According to Sgt. Bob Dodds, it is a trend of criminality that has been steadily increasing over the last few years, and will more than likely get worse before it gets better.
The perpetrators of these crimes are like mosquitoes in the summer – bloodsucking and annoying, but unlike mosquitoes where you can combat against them by utilizing a repellent, there isn’t much in the way of deterrence from thievery.
Cameras and vigilance, not leaving ones keys in an unlocked vehicle, these are some of the steps that Barrhead RCMP detachment members, and indeed, Sgt. Dodds himself, have advocated with regards to protecting personal residential effects, at various meetings with town and county councils, with the chamber of commerce, private businesses and concerned individuals.
RCMP members maintain that the majority of these crimes – break and enters, thefts over and thefts under, are perpetrated by individuals suffering from various addictions, while some residents are of the personal opinion that this is due to free time and a lack of justice in provincial courts.
Regardless of the root cause, theft remains an issue in our community.
Whether or not a person harbours personal doubts or misgivings about acting pro-actively, or ‘sticking their nose in someone else’s business’ is irresponsible.
If you notice someone hanging around a parked car you know belongs to someone else, regardless of the time of day, call the police.
If you pass by a business closed for the night and you see a flashlight inside, chances are you should call the police too.
Nobody wants to read about their stolen property and who was responsible for the theft getting their trial adjourned again and again and again.
See something, say something.
As one of our reporters’ grandmothers used to say, ‘Not in our backyards bucco!’
