The amount of thefts happening in the Steeple Chase area of Sooke have left people, such as Andrea Rempel, at a loss.
Rempel, who lives on Steeple Chase, once owned a pair of steel lawn ornaments on her front step, when one day in October she was leaving for work and noticed one of the ornaments was laying on her lawn and the other was gone.
“It makes no sense, but the amount of times I see stuff posted about things being stolen, or people having their homes and cars broken in to on Steeple Chase, I don’t feel safe here,” Rempel said.
“It’s impacting what we do, and people are avoiding putting things like decorations out because there is too much of a risk of it being taken.”
Rempel said the people in her neighbourhood have formed a group chat to try and take control of the increased crime.
“We have considered putting together a neighbourhood watch, or pitching in to get security cameras, but it shouldn’t have to be like this,” Rempel said.
It is not just Rempel, however, as multiple people have complained of similar incidents on social media.
The claimed thefts vary in severity, ranging anywhere from tools, sporting equipment and lawn ornaments, to purses, jewelry and cellphones.
“We live on Steeple Chase and the kids have had hockey sticks and basketballs stolen from our front yard, it’s gotten really bad on the street. Nothing is safe it seems, which is really sad,” said Shannon Jodoin, in a comment on Sooke Social.
One of Rempel’s neighbours, Scott Pay, posted in Sooke Social on Dec. 7 saying he had a projector stolen.
“He bought the projector one day, and the next day it was stolen,” Rempel said. “It’s just sad. People’s property should be people’s property.”
Another resident, Kiomi Yates, also wrote on Dec. 7: “House got broken into on Steeple Chase on a side suite early this morning, if anyone saw anything happen please contact me. I am missing a gold ring with two large diamonds on it, and a blue leather bracelet with diamond crystals that spell out yogi. Please contact if you know or saw anything, as this is upsetting that I’ve lost two items of sentimental value.”
However, Sooke RCMP Cpl. Dawn Gilhen fsaid theft and break-ins are a reoccurring problem all over Sooke, not only in the Steeple Chase area.
She added that although there is no surefire way to prevent a theft or break-in, there are a few things you can do to avoid being a target.
“If it’s your car, lock your doors and don’t leave things of value visible in the vehicle,” Gilhen said. “For your home, we suggest having your property well lit, lock your doors, and if you live in a more remote location and have the means, it might be a good idea to put up surveillance cameras.”
Gilhen also suggested writing down the serial number and keeping receipts of items that are valuable to you, so that if they are stolen and the police are able to track it down, they can prove that it belongs to you.
To report a theft, contact the Sooke RCMP at 250-642-5241.