Crannas Jewellers was the victim of an attempted break-in this morning (January 20).
An Oliver businessman is so fed up with crime that he’s starting to question whether to close up shop or continue being a victim.
Frank Barnay from Crannas Jewellers reported that two hoodlums attempted to break into his shop Tuesday night despite security bars and a sign on the door saying the premise is monitored by video.
“Is there that many drugs in town that people don’t understand (that they are being recorded)?” he asked.
The videotape shows two individuals wearing hoodies trying to take the window out of his front door. But they are soon scared off by the alarm system.
“I’m getting old and tired of this shit. What’s happening in this God-damned town?” he said in frustration. “I’m trying to get a holiday here, but I can’t even leave the place.”
The 73-year-old jeweler has been in business for 43 years, noting that criminals try to break into his shop three or four times a year.
“Where’s the honesty? I can’t rest. Why should I be a businessman in Oliver?”
Barnay said he feels that’s he’s being singled out and just wants to be left alone.
Earlier this year his business was subject to an attempted break-in where would-be thieves removed the locking mechanism from the front door. They too were scared off by the alarm.
It appears the Oliver RCMP are busier chasing down more criminals this quarter compared to the same period last year.
Local police responded to 62 per cent more Criminal Code files in the first quarter of 2015 than during the same period in 2014.
In a report on crime statistics encompassing January to March of 2015, Cpl. Mike Field indicated that members responded to 619 calls for service. This compares to 604 calls received during the first quarter of 2014.
There were 17 assaults in the first quarter this year, compared to 12 during the same period last year. There were 20 assaults last quarter (October to December of 2014).
Sex offences decreased from eight in the first quarter of 2014 to three this quarter.
Residential break-ins saw a significant increase this quarter (10), compared to only one in the same period last year. There were 10 break-ins last quarter.
Business break-ins amounted to four this quarter, compared to one in the first quarter of 2014. There were 20 last quarter.
Theft of vehicles increased by a whopping 475 per cent, from four in the first quarter of 2014 to 23 this quarter. There were 15 last quarter.
Theft from vehicles went up 100 per cent this quarter, from seven to 14.
There was more mischief this quarter (26 incidents) compared to the same period last year (11 incidents).
There was very little drug activity this quarter and last quarter.
Immediate roadside suspensions decreased 83 per cent, from 12 in the first quarter of 2014 to two this quarter.
“Oliver detachment members and local community support (Speed Watch) continue to effectively monitor local driving habits in sensitive areas,” said Field.
As far as drug enforcement, Field noted that specific residences are monitored and all Crime Stoppers information is acted on in a timely manner. He pointed out that Oliver RCMP had one drug trafficking case this quarter.
Field said three youth safety initiatives were identified in 2014: continued support of the Restorative Justice Program, high-risk youth programming; and ongoing support for the school liaison program.
The officer said a more concerted effort is needed to reinvigorate the Restorative Justice Program. This program sees youth make amends to their victims in less serious crimes.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
