Kevin Hillier says gangs and telemarketers are a huge problem
It’s a sad state of affairs when you can no longer feel safe in your own home and, unfortunately, that’s increasingly becoming the norm. Home invasions seem to be the crime du jour, especially if you happen to drive a luxury car.
Gangs are roaming the streets day and night seeking their latest victims. They don’t seem concerned at whether there are people in the house, either, and many of the offenders are young. It appears some of these gangs aren’t satisfied with getting your car or your valuables; they want to humiliate the victim as well, even after people have given up keys or cash and mobiles.
Like me, you will have read and heard many of the stories, which sound like something from a Hollywood movie script. Alas, it’s happening in our city. I know people who go for their daily walk and leave their doors unlocked, something that horrifies me. Mind you, if someone wants to get in, they will. Gone are the days when people would lock doors only at night. Do you feel safe in your home? Have you increased security around your house in the wake of these attacks? The police appear to be doing as good a job as they can, but they can’t be everywhere.
I’ve never understood the motivation to be part of a gang. A team or a club, yes. A gang, no. It’s difficult for the media because the notoriety seems to fuel the attacks and give the gangs credibility. The media has to report it, but that seems to glamorise it in the eyes of gang members. I’d hate it to get like cities such as Los Angeles, where gangs are well organised.
Phone invasion
The other form of home invasion, which is not as threatening but very annoying, is telemarketing. They seem to have upped the ante recently and it’s not uncommon for us to receive up to 10 calls in a day. I don’t like the fact that they ask for me by name and often know my home address. I think it’s time the phone companies gave us consumers software to combat this as part of the line rental agreement. I’m on the verge of flicking my home phone and going purely mobile. ■
