We’ve been hearing a lot about whistleblowers as they pertain to the shenanigans going on at the White House with President Donald Trump, but Chemainus has its own issue with whistleblowers.
It seems this different variety of whistleblowers is making the rounds in town as a means of stealing peoples’ property.
A person or persons on bikes apparently head into neighbourhoods and alert someone else on another bike or in a vehicle about a potential hot spot to target. Reports intensified last week this was going on in the Cook Street and Creegan Drive areas.
Some people are just hearing about this for the first time, but the so-called whistleblowers haven’t just suddenly shown up here. They seem to have settled into these parts and, knowing the police presence is minimal, have made a habit of taking anything they can get their hands on from yards, driveways and anywhere else around residences.
This would explain the ongoing thefts that have occurred in Chemainus and they seem to have made a business out of the practice presumably by selling the stolen goods.
There’s been plenty of conversation on Facebook about this, but not everyone is on Facebook, especially among the older population, so that’s why we‘re spreading the message through the newspaper to reach a wider audience.
The bottom line is residents need to be wary of these whistleblowers and alert neighbours.
It’s always a good practice for anyone who sees these characters to immediately call North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP. Whether they respond right away or not, the more calls that are registered to the detachment, the better likelihood we’ll see regular patrols in the area at some point.
We must put a stop to all this literally free-wheeling theft that is happening in the community. The offenders presumably don’t read the newspaper so a plan of action among residents to look out for each other could be effective.
We’re not sure how dangerous these individuals are so people need to be cautious. But if we can beat them at their own game, make them realize they aren’t welcome here and call attention to their actions, maybe they’ll move on if they aren’t apprehended first.