Crime on the rise in Dog Creek area
| News |
By LeRae Haynes
A rash of vandalism and destruction hit Dog Creek Road area early this morning. A travel trailer in a resident’s front yard was burned, another home had the window screens broken out, a second vehicle was set on fire at a nearby residence and a number of sheds in the area were broken into as well.
“The police and the fire trucks were on scene at about 4: 30 this morning,” one resident stated. “The owner woke up to the sound of the crackling fire in his travel trailer.”
He said that the rash of crime in the area has made people more careful about things like making sure their doors are locked and their property secure. “It’s common sense to do things like locking doors, locking vehicles, not leave valuables lying around and installing exterior lighting,” he continued. “The trouble makers seem to be getting more and more brazen.”
He also said that it may result in neighbors collaborating to help protect themselves and their property, adding that vigilantism may sound a little extreme, but that people are frustrated.
“People are getting frustrated with the justice system in general,” he continued. “This kind of crime seems to go on a bit of a roller coaster: crimes are on the rise, they catch the guy, he finally goes to court, maybe sees a little jail time, gets out and crime goes up all over again.”
Constable Thiessen from the RCMP said that the investigation is in its beginning stage and that why this area’s crime rate is climbing would be pure speculation at this point.
He said that besides being vigilant with their homes, vehicles and outbuildings, one thing that people can do to help the RCMP is to record serial numbers from their valuables, including things like electronics and dirt bikes.
“At the end of the day, Williams Lake is a smaller community and people are familiar with who their neighbors are,” he continued. “Pay attention: if it looks fishy, it probably is. If you notice someone walking around your neighbor’s yard at 3am and it isn’t your neighbor, phone it in. The police don’t mind getting those kinds of calls.”
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