Thieves By DAVE TAYLOR BARBED WIRE fences flank the building, motion detectors trigger spot lights and infra-red beams set off sirens if the perimeter is breached. Is this a high security prison? No, it’s a home in Thorn- hill. **We don’t want to live in a fortress,”? says home owner Don Hall. ‘‘We have to,”’ Hall and his wife Elaine live on Kofoed Road in Thomhill.. They say crime in their neighbourhood has be- come so bad they’ve spent thousands on security — and they still can’t stop the thieves. ‘Every year I get more pissed off,’* Elaine says, her voice rising above the bark- ing of a neighbour’s guard dog. ‘'I don’t think someone could get in and out of our yard now without hurting themselves, and I just don’t care if that happens anymore. ’’ The couple has lived in their Thornhill home for 11 years, but they say the crime problem only surfaced about four years ago. Now Elaine says the thefts are so regular that they’re used to mark the change of seasons. “T know when summer’s here because that’s when things start getting stolen,’ she says. ‘“‘And I’m fed up with it, We have people going through our yard four nights a week. If I leave something on our deck or in my car for even one night it’s gone.”’ The mosi recent item to go missing was the couple’s new lawnmower, Hall bought it for his wife two weeks ago and put it in the garage. Three nights later, it was gone, *T never even got to use it”? says Elaine, ‘‘T never even heard it run.”’ : Over the past four years lunder yar d Home resembles fortress — including a heater, spot- light, downriggers, safely flares, an electric motor, gas tanks, tools and several other items. Don says he first tried in- stalling §motion-detecting spot lights to ward off thieves. “T found out it just al- lowed them to see what they were stealing,’’ he says. So far, the police haven’t been able to recover any of the Halls’ stolen property, and the couple’s starting to wonder if the police even look anymore, “The police didn’t even ask what colour my wife’s Jawnmower was,’ says Hall. ‘So how hard can they be looking for it? The first question they always ask is, ‘Don’t you have in- surance?’ Well, a lot of good that does. Our deduct- ible has gone from $200 to $1,000 and now the compa- ny is threatening to cancel our policy.’’ Hall says police officers have told him they have a good idea who’s stealing the couple’s stuff. They just don’t seem to be able to pre- vent it. ‘T think the police aren’t doing anything because the thieves are kids,’’ Hall says. “In all faimess to them, maybe the cops have just given up because it’s the same kids again and again. Maybe they should go after the fence who’s buying this stuff, The kid who stole our lawnmowe? sure didn’t go home and mow his lawa. He sold it somewhere.” Elaine Hall points out that youth crime is not just af- fecting her house. Her son recently had his wallet stolen by a youth in Thom- hill -— who racked up $700 in bills on his credit card. But Inspector Steve Leach of the Terrace RCMP detachment says crime in Thomhill seems to be fol- lowing the same. trends. as’ BEHIND BARBED WIRE — Don and Elaine Hull have bean forced to fortify thelr The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 28, 1997 - A3 Thornhill home with barbed wire, motion detectors and more in an effort to keep thieves away. criminal activity. “T haven't been made aware of any specific area in Thomhill that is having a crime spree,’’ he says, “‘But sometimes things like will- ful damage aren’t reported to us, and we can’t do any- thing if we don’t know about it.’” Leach cites © RCMP statistics that indicate prop- erty crimes in Terrace’s out- lying areas (including ‘Thorhill) have actually a the Halis--have: lost thow-~ Terraces and he doesn’r-seer~ gone down since -last-year-- sands of dollars in property the area as a hotbed for According to police, in the Box 22, IMPROVING Terrace, B.C, Major Credit Cards YOUR Accepted ODS V8G 4A2 p - - wea | AGAINST. Marjorie Park Your donation is ANDSTROKE | CANADAS 638-1167 tax deductible FOUNDATION | #1 KILLEA James W. Radelet RADELET & COM PANY Barristers & Solicitors Tax Law* Trusts* Corporate & Commercial 4330 - 1075 West Georgia Stree, Vancouver, B.C, VEE 309 Phone: 604-689-0878 first three months of 1997 there were 59 property of- fences in the area. That's down from 87 the year be- fore — although it’s still above 1995's low of 43. Break-and-enters are also down, from 15 in 1996 to 12 this year, and total criminal code offences are down to 150, from 204 in 1996, “We do patrol Thorn- hill,’ Leach says. ‘‘But communities have to set up neighbourhood watch pro- prams to help us. And T.en- courage people to call the department if they have any Fax: 604-689-1386 concerns we might be able to help them with.”’ But the Halls say they’ve tried such programs, they just didn’t help. “We've been through Neighbourhood Watch, Citizens on Patrol, the po- lice, written a letter to the MP and written a letter to the editor. And now we’re ready to kill somebody,” Elaine says. ‘I don’t know what else we can do besides building a moat with al- ligators. The next thing is.to hire someone with a rifle, I : guess.”” News In Brief Guilty of fraud FORMER UNION treasurer Josef Duben has pled guilty to defrauding his union of nearly $18,000 — money which he used to pay for groceries, phone bills and even video games. Duben entered his plea in Terrace court on May 12 and was sentenced to a three month conditional term, plus £8 months probation. The charges stem from a two-year period between February, 1993 and March, 1995 when Duben, now 42, was treasurer of CUPE Local 2861, one of the local which represents school district workers. As treasurer, Duben was in charge of the money ac- cumulated from dues paid by union members, Any money he spent was supposed to first be approved by the union. But a 1995 internal audit of the books showed huge discrepancies between approved spendings and che- ques written by Duben. The cheques often covered legitimate bills, like tele- phone charges. However, Duben would frequently write a cheque for a higher amount, and use the extra money to pay for his own bills. In total, Duben paid for more than $3,100 of his per- sonal telephone bills using union funds. He also bought more than $800 in groceries and paid $4,500 in non- existent lost wages to himself. Duben also made more than $3,400 In purchases with union money to buy items for bis own personal use — a sink, computer software programs, including a golf- ing video game, sports cards and baby sitting services. Boaters beware TERRACE RCMP are reminding boaters to keep a keen eye on their marine equipment this summer. The police say every summer they receive dozens of reports about stolen depth sounders, stereos and other equipment taken from boats left unattended at boat launches and in driveways. The RCMP also remind anglers to make sure their equipment is securely stored at all times, Rods, reels and tackle are periodically stolen from river banks and from vehicles in parking lots used by anglers. The RCMP will once again be patrolling area waters using a boat. And they remind people that impaired and .08 charges apply to boaters just as they do to vehicle drivers. RCMP also remind boaters that life jackets are re- quired for every person on a vessel. Dog sniffs out coke TERRACE RCMP arrested two Thombill men last weck after Terrace’s police dog searched a home and dug up smal] amounts of both cocaine and marihuana. Police say the two men will be charged with two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking. They have since been released and are to attend court onJuly 11. nn cat Your In Memoriam gift is a lasting tribute. Please send your donation to the address above, along with the name and address and the name and address of the next-of- kin, for an acknowledgement card. THE CITY OF ITERRACE WATER SPRINKLING RESTRICTIONS To help reduce pumping costs, to ensure that adequate water supply is available for fire fighting purposes, and to encourage conservation of our most vital natural resource, the City of Terrace is implementing water sprinkling restrictions, effective immediately. These restric- tions will remain in force year-round. Lawn sprinkling is permitted at any time on the lollow- ing days: Odd numbered houses - odd days of the month Even numbered hauses - even days of the month * Hand sprinkling of flowers and shrubs with a controlled nozzle is allawed at any time. 2 Further restrictions may be imposed if required. Neid Enterprises caries a complete line of White Lawn Care Machines including Mowers, Chippers, Tractors & Rototilers, Al White Products are backed by a3 year parts and labour warranty. f ‘ couttay INN YOUR QUIET DOWNTOWN CHOICE There's a New Kid on the Bloc! The BEAR COUNTRY INN ‘Located on Lakelse Avenue offering ea + Model RB 550 18” Titer # Dual Direction Rear Ting $945) a0 Model 424 21 Deck # Rear Bagger nis y ‘yeassurance of quality & friendliness ur festaurant.features a great'men ‘and excellent foad.. 4702 Lakelse Ave., Terrace We thank you for your assistance in the sensible and Fax 635-6381 moderate use of water. Ph. 635-6302 Formerly Terrace Slumber Ledge Important Notice Changes to Freshwater Angling Fees Please nate the following changes to freshwater angling fees for the 1997/98 fishing season: Model 950 SHP © 6 Sod Forw 2 Rev 74" Vacuum © 3" Chipper $9.3505" © Increases fa daily fees for non-BC residents to fish in classified woters is being deferred for one year. For the 97/98 season, daily fees for non-BC residents remain at $20 per day te fish Class I rivers, and $10 per day to fish Class II rivers. Beginning April 1, 1998, non-BC residents will poy 540 per day to fish any classified waters while BC residents will continue to poy $10 per year fo fish these waters. —_ Modet L1175 42" Cul © 17.5 HPY Twin Hyoroslatic Transmission © Steelhead licenses will now be mandatory on classified waters only al specific timas and on certain rivers. A schedule of dates anc locations ts past- Traclor $3099” wack xis® 369" ed at license vendors and offices of the Ministry af Environment, Lands and Parks. prsmree—- © Classified waters licenses ond steelhead licenses are nol required on the Bella Coola River. © [tis not mandatory for anglers to record catches ond waters fished on the back of the clossified waters license. © Asa result of these changes, refunds are available to anglers who have alreody purchased licences that have been reduced in price or ore not fequired, AHected onglers can apply for a refund by mailing thelr licences to the address below, or having Ihe licences replaced af any Government Agent Office, ond then mailing in for a refund. Please return licenses afong with Full name ond address to: oo os "Fisheries Sranch Ministry of Environment, Lands ond Parks Parliament Buildings, Vicloria, B.C. | vaV 14 : For mara information on angling fees, contact your closest Government Agent Office or angling licence vendor, BRITISH COLUMBIA 7 Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks