Residents in Beach Grove have fallen victim to a rash of recent thefts from both locked and unlocked vehicles.
This is not a new problem and I dare say, sadly, will not be the last time that I write about this topic.
I have lost count on the number of theft-related stories and or opinion columns that I have written on this topic since I joined the Optimist in 2016.
I get the frustration and the anger that comes when you fall victim to this crime. Most of that frustration has been front and centre on our community social media pages since Delta Police (DPD) issued a reminder following the latest rash of thefts last week.
Community columnist Ingrid Abbott mentioned it as well in her column last week.
DPD are encouraging residents, once again, to lock up their vehicles at night and to remove all valuables from their vehicle. It’s not a hard thing to do. It’s pretty simple really…don’t leave your tools, sunglasses, wallets, laptops, passports and loose change in plain sight in your vehicle.
Don’t be angry at the opportunistic thief who happens upon your unlocked vehicle with a stash of goods ready for the taking. If you are going to do this, why not include a note for the thief saying free stuff, go ahead and take it!
I don’t mean to sound glib, but while I see the frustration on social media and some who are quick to point fingers at the police, saying that they are not doing enough to stop these thefts and that we need more officers and more patrols – and there is some truth in this – it is up to us as residents to be responsible for our vehicles and our contents.
Lock up your vehicle and take everything with you when you head inside your house at night. Seems like a simple and reasonable thing to do don’t you think?
