Re: “We need more police, Letters, The Leader, Aug. 18.
Mr. Elford’s letter requesting more police was unfortunately typical. But more police do not make up for citizens who do not take the steps to protect their property.
Police, no matter the number, cannot be everywhere. Thieves have the time to do so. After all their full -time job is stealing.
While I sympathize the fact he has lost 15 bikes and at least one freezer full of food to thieves, I cannot help but say he possibly should have learned after the first theft of bike or food to take measures to protect himself. The freezer was I would assume in a carport. Maybe move it inside cover it up or barricade it. Bikes can be placed in locations where they cannot be stolen while at home. They can be locked up or placed/ kept in your sight when out shopping.
All more police presence means is the thieves have to wait till the police move on. Then presto they score. Quick cash deal. Then off to the their dealer. We all want more police, more doctors and nurses, better education, etc. Put no one wants to pay more taxes. The only answer is do better with what we have. That means in the particular case, smarten up and proactively protect our property and ourselves.
Ross Fisher, Surrey
People must stand up for what’s right
I honestly don’t believe that we need more police on the streets. Not only because of the cost but because their job has become unmanageable because there are far too many criminals on the street. Also, it used to be that people watched out for their neighbours’ property, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
As long as there are people on the street that are willing to take, by reason of entitlement, from other people we are going to have a problem.
My daughter-in-law bought a new bike and has been using it as a form of transport to get back and forth to work. She is careful to lock the bike up and put it in the house at night. Last week she locked up her bike and went into a store to get one thing. When she returned her bike was gone. She replaced it on Sunday and on Tuesday while the bike was locked up at work some slime ball stole the seat and the collar that holds it in place.
What are we supposed to do? How many people walk by a person stealing something and just turn away and allow it to happen?
I think the headline of the letter should have read, “We need less criminals and more responsible citizens on the street.”
We have to be able to depend on the ordinary citizens of this city to report crimes in progress instead of walking away in fear.
Tracie Woodhams, Surrey
