Following a string of commercial property break-ins in Barrhead over the last couple of weeks, to the uninitiated it might almost feel like the local criminal element has switched gears and are now going after ‘harder’ targets like downtown businesses, instead of their usual fare – fuel containers, unguarded tool sheds, parked cars and the like.
We live in a decent community where neighbours routinely look out for one another.
It’s the Christmas season, as well, to add insult to injury. Instead of checking off gift lists and baking cookies, like we should be, are we now replacing videotapes and checking the life of light bulbs in motion-sensor fixtures?
We here at the Barrhead Leader felt it was necessary to write this editorial, in light of these recent break-ins, to use the space to remind everyone of the saying made famous by the United States’ Department of Homeland Security: See something, say something.
While it is an American saying, it is relevant to our current plight.
Our RCMP officers work tirelessly to bring criminals to justice and they use tips and evidence to nail down the perpetrators.
Tips come from a variety of sources; it could be the grainy image of a face on a cellphone, a store video monitor, word-of-mouth, an anonymous phone call to CrimeStoppers – it doesn’t have to be direct face-to-face consultation with a police officer.
Barrhead places a great emphasis on shopping local. Those of you with businesses along Main Street are the bread-and-butter of this community, you and the agricultural producers.
Without you, we would be little more than a mirage on the distant horizon.
We need to look out for each other, watch each other’s metaphorical backs.
If a neighbour is broken into, we need to be extra vigilant on our own front, and we need to see if we can help catch whomever is responsible.
If we are outside on our balconies late at night and we see something out-of-the-ordinary, we need to act on it.
Chances are, if it doesn’t fit what you would consider normal for the situation, there is probably something going on.
If we do not take an active part in protecting our community, by not being extra vigilant, by not reporting to the police when we see or hear of something wrong or illegal occurring, then we are no better than those who aid and abet.
As harsh as that sounds, imagine how it feels to have your workplace violated, to have your peace of mind destroyed?
Imagine how it feels to be the neighbour of one of the shops broken into recently.
Are you fed up yet?
We have to band together and work with the RCMP to get these criminals off the streets so that future generations can see the justice system working.
Barrhead is our town. It is a good, wholesome community comprised of good, hard-working and generous people.
Enough is enough.
