It seems thieves are becoming more daring.
There was a time in the not too distant past when those who lived outside the law would wait for cover of darkness. The theft would usually wait until the business was closed or the home unoccupied before trying to gain entry. Now, it seems crooks are trying to outdo each for the most brazen robbery attempt.
Certainly, the recent theft at the Sears store in Montague would have to be a contender in this illegal competition. While the store was open for the business September 4, a 55 inch LCD television was stolen form the company stock room. It doesn’t get much more daring than that. You can’t just stick a 55 inch television in your pocket and try to walk out of the store.
What is perhaps more incredible is that is not the first time such a theft has happened. Is it the same person or persons? Perhaps it is a the copycat -- this is certainly one case where imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery.
The Montague area is far from the only part of the province where the thieves are bold as brass” as my grandmother might say. A day later, a masked man held up a Robin’s Donuts outlet in Charlottetown . RCMP in Stratford are also investing a series of thefts from vehicles-- many of which they believed occurred when the cars were parked in the driveway of the family home.
Theft costs businesses thousands of dollars each year, but there are some costs that can’t be measured. Take for example the staff at the Robin’s outlet. Being held up is not in anybody’s job description. You don’t ever forget being threatened with a gun or a knife by somebody wearing a mask. Most employers take steps to try to ensure their workplace is as safe as possible, but they are not counting on coming face to face with an armed robber. After all, this is PEI and such things never happen here. The unfortunate truth is the myth PEI is largely crime free is just that-- a myth.
While, I’m certainly not suggesting the province is the crime capital of the country, we no longer have the luxury of sitting back and saying crime can’t happen in a small town. Anybody who has been the victim of a theft feels a sense of violation-- their personal space and property have been invaded. Many robbery victims indicate in victim impact statements they no longer feel safe in what previously were familiar surroundings. That feeling is obviously magnified if they came face to face with the thief and felt their safety was in danger.
There is no easy answer to combatting the problem. All of us have to be more vigilant. The days of leaving the house or the vehicle unlocked have to be a thing of the past. Don’t make the task of a thief easier because we all benefit from a safer community