Let the police do their job, says DeWolfe

By Lawrence Powell

The Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Annapolis Royal Mayor Jane DeWolfe has faith that the police will solve a rash of break and enters in the town and surrounding area over the past several weeks, but in the meantime she's urging residents to take reasonable precautions to keep from becoming victims.

"Lock your doors and windows, and don't leave your keys in your vehicle," she said Monday, noting that a keyring is a goldmine for criminals.

"What we don't want is people forming vigilante groups and roaming town streets or county areas," she said. "They're not trained to deal with crime. We don't want anyone getting hurt."

The break-ins, including a home invasion, have been perpetrated in the town itself and in the surrounding areas such as Lequille, Granville Ferry, and Allain's Creek.

"For the most part they're businesses and the object seems to be money," said DeWolfe. "We're hearing from local residents and business owners wondering what police are doing and what more they can do. They are concerned."

DeWolfe said that when a crime is committed in Annapolis Royal, municipal police have jurisdiction. In areas like Lequille and Granville Ferry, the RCMP are in charge of investigation. However, both police forces work together and she believes it's just a matter of time before they nab the culprits. As for the local constabulary, DeWolfe said she has confidence that they can do the job as effectively as the Mounties.

"Am I confident in the police? Yes I am," she said. "They need to be in the right place at the right time, but I do believe it will be solved."

She believes that if the RCMP solve the problem in the county, that will solve the problem in Annapolis Royal and vice-versa.

"They're all related," she said.

"I think the police have suspicions as to who is doing this but haven't been able to get the break they need to capture them, or even bring them in for questioning," the mayor said.

DeWolfe said residents who have any information about the rash of break-ins can contact Annapolis Royal police if they live in the town, or the RCMP if they live outside town limits.

Traditionally, Annapolis Royal has enjoyed an unusually low crime rate and the mayor described her town as a law-abiding community. But she can't rule out big city crime moving into rural areas. She said it may or may not be the tip of the iceberg. In the meantime she wants residents to use common sense to protect themselves and let the police do their job.