There's a need to watch out for our neighbors

There's a need to watch out for our neighbors
From Carlene Dean, Villard

For most of the six-plus years my son and I have lived in Villard, we have felt fairly safe. One tends to feel that way in a town of around 200 people. We didn't always lock out doors and we used to walk around at all hours of the day and night.

In the recent past, however, we've learned to not be so complacent. Experience has shown us we're not safe from crime, at least my family isn't. In 2008, our home was broken into twice (that I know of); several of our items, plus between two and three hundred dollars, walked out the door. The second burglary of that year was prosecuted, and we were glad for that. However, because of this our behavior has changed: doors are locked all the time, our sense of security and trust has taken a hit and we've felt angry and betrayed. We haven't had any trouble since that last burglary, though.

Until recently. My son and I came home form a school function Friday night, March 26, and saw a state trooper cruising our neighborhood. Strange, because we normally don't see state cops here. The following Sunday we came home from church and found my purse under the motor home in the back yard. All my cash was missing, but luckily nothing else that I could tell was gone. So, we've been robbed again. Apparently someone thought they needed my money more than I do. We guess this is why the state patrol was in town Friday. No, I didn't report this to the police; I figured instead that I would report it to the public, via this letter.

Maybe because we don't have full-time police coverage in this town, the miscreants here feel safe enough to break in people's homes and do other bad things. I guess what the rest of us need to do is keep our outside lights on all night and be more diligent in watching out for our neighbors' homes, looking for suspicious activity and reporting any to law enforcement. It may not prevent anyone from being victimized, but it should do some good, at least in helping each other feel more safe here.

Very good letter she wrote. Don't know if it will do any good or not, but it surely can't hurt any. Thanks for posting for us!~!