Pubdate: Thu, 01 Dec 2011
Source: Annapolis County Spectator; The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2011 Transcontinental Nova Scotia Media Group inc.
Contact:  http://www.annapoliscountyspectator.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4699

DRUGS AND CRIME?

Break and enters are nothing new. Most break-ins are into sheds, 
barns, other outbuildings, and cottages. Items taken are usually 
tools, ATVs, and small gas-powered machines. Less common are 
residential break and enters, usually committed when homes are 
vacant. Break and enters into occupied homes are not that common, so 
the recent experience of Albert and Bonnie Johnson in Middleton might 
be considered an exception. A very scary exception.

Publication of a story in The Spectator last week concerning the 
break-in at the Johnson home created immediate community concern -- 
partly because the Johnsons are a well-known and respected couple who 
work tirelessly to help others. Partly because anyone reading the 
story could picture it happening to them -- at home late at night 
with thieves downstairs. Albert admitted that he sensed something was 
wrong. What if, alerted by the constantly running furnace, he had 
come downstairs while the intruders were still there? The story might 
have had a very different ending.

There is nothing quite as ugly as a home invasion gone wrong. The 
Johnsons were lucky.

Upon reflection, Albert believes that residential break and enters 
are directly related to three things: drugs, the state of mental 
health care, and the state of the economy. He's not wrong. Ask any 
cop, any social worker, any Crown attorney, any legal aid lawyer and 
chances are pretty good they'll agree with Johnson's assessment. An 
addiction is a mental health issue; drugs cost money; the economy 
isn't exactly vibrant and money is scarce. Of course this isn't 
categorical. Simple greed and laziness also contribute to crime.

If there is an upside to the Johnsons' experience, it's that a 
community seems to have come together to not only support the 
Johnsons and voice their dismay, but to perhaps seek solutions to a 
situation many believe has gotten out of hand -- especially 
considering the numerous break, enters, and thefts from Middleton 
businesses. People are saying enough is enough. Why should 
hard-working citizens become victims of crime in their own homes and shops?

But there is a certain onus on all to prevent such crimes by being 
vigilant, taking precautions, becoming involved in groups like 
Citizens on Patrol and Neighbourhood Watch. There is no statement 
more true than the policeman is your friend, but in the 
aforementioned state of the economy community policing is perhaps not 
getting as much fiscal attention as it should. If it's true that 
drugs and crime are related, just remember the police are busy not 
only trying to prevent the break-ins and catch the thieves, they're 
also busy trying to climb the drug ladder to put an end to the big 
suppliers. Residents can't complain about the 'petty' crimes without 
complaining about the 'big' criminals. It's all part and parcel.

It's true that municipalities can hardly afford the policing they 
have currently, based on current perceptions of what the public 
wants. But perhaps those perceptions are wrong. Maybe the public 
would be willing to dish out a bit more in taxes to pay for the 
resources needed to protect them adequately. And maybe if those 
resources did exist and were properly utilized, it would not only 
help reduce petty crime, but would also have an effect on addictions.

Of course there are those out there who don't believe drugs and crime 
are related. To those people of course go our apologies for making 
such a suggestion. We just hope your homes aren't the next to be targeted.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom