We can’t continually bury our heads in the sand about crime.
It exists in Chemainus, like it or not. This community is not immune. It is a wonderful place to live, but people need to look out for each other and their property all the time, just like anywhere else.
Ward and Kathy Yeager have always been among the most diligent citizens around town, protecting their interests as well as others with their state-of-the-art surveillance cameras.
Kevin Smith is fed up with it and felt an extensive hit at the Highway Antique Barn needed to be brought to the attention of the public. After all, if he didn’t do it, who would?
The theft of $100,000 of gold and silver is no petty crime. That’s a major haul and it can’t simply be avoided because we don’t want to make it look like the Chemainus area is a haven for criminals.
This is just playing into the hands of the thieves. The odds they’ll strike again and again without the fear publicity can bring are high.
It’s interesting to see how different jurisdictions handle the dissemination of information to the public or lack thereof.
The Nanaimo RCMP, through media spokesperson Const. Gary O’Brien, reports anything and everything to the public. No matter is too small that may bring witnesses forward to help solve a case or bring charges.
Granted, there is a lot more crime in Nanaimo than just about anywhere else right now, but O’Brien is at the forefront of ensuring nothing is hidden and the safety of the public is always top of mind.
By contrast, the North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP reveal few details about crime to the public in its vicinity and many other detachments on the Island are the same.
It almost creates a false sense of security and the impression certain communities are safer than others. That’s far from the truth in this day and age. Just because few hear about crimes unless they’re directly involved, it doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
The big problem today is little consequences for criminals in the court system.
It’s a tougher fight than ever before for various reasons. But we should be thankful to the Yeagers and Smith for realizing the importance of facing reality and acting accordingly.
@chemainusnews
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.