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.