Stop looking the other way

I've called Kelowna home for close to 10 years. I'm a mother, wife and local business owner. I don't care much for drama, drugs or alcohol.

However, on June 4, two individuals came to my home (across from an elementary school) in broad daylight and stole a workbench (still in the box), I had just purchased for my husband. This workbench is worth close to $400 and weights over 100 pounds.

Due to our busy lives, it wasn't till the next day that it was gone. I went straight to my security cameras, and watched as the thieves walked by, stopped, scoped out my place, left and came back with a shopping cart to haul it away. The kicker – I was home at the time.

We immediately starting posting pictures of them on social media. In a matter of less than an hour, we had names, where they frequented, other pictures and stories.

My husband and I don't come from wealthy families, but we grew up with good morals and values. We didn't have much and appreciate everything we had. Since moving to Kelowna, we've done alright for ourselves and are proud of what we have accomplished. So, we were not going to sit idly by and let these people get away with this.

With the help of many locals, we tracked one of these junkies down. When I showed the thief the pictures we had of her, she immediately took us to the house she had hidden it at. Of course, they were not happy when we showed up. In fact, a masked individual holding a few dangerous items, came from the corner of the house and stood there watching us. I'll admit, that was a bit scary, however he soon left, and guess what? The drug dealer and woman who stole it came out with our bench and loaded it into our truck.

A few of the neighbors watched and congratulated us as we drove away. They, too, are so sick of the things that go on.

Shortly after we posted our victory and thanked people for their help, another individual decided to take a stand, and he retrieved a stolen bike.

We have had it! Enough is enough. Nothing is being done to protect hard-working citizens. The thieves and druggies get away with everything. I don't understand how people are not being arrested when there is proof of trespassing, robbery, drug use and many other things.

More needs to be done to help these drug addicts, too. People die, waiting to get the help they need. And of course families can't afford to pay the high prices of rehab centres. Why are they so costly?

Stop looking the other way. Make a difference where it counts.

Melissa Sinclair, Kelowna