Editor:
Before the pandemic, my daughter’s $2,000 electric bike was stolen in Sahali.
The police report was filed and I decided to venture to all of the social housing within the city in hopes of spotting the unique bike. We decided to hang a few posters at these locations with a posted reward for the return of the bike. It didn’t take long before we received a response, asking to meet in a hotel lobby downtown. Unfortunately, I was out off town when this meeting was to take place.
This unsavoury individual took the monetary reward and showed a picture on his cellphone of where the bike was located. It was locked up behind the Mission Flats Manor social housing building. My daughter took the correct action and called the police. After two hours and no call back from the police, I contacted a friend (since I was out of town) and asked him to retrieve the stolen bike with my daughter.
They arrived at Mission Flats and the police officer already had the bike in his car, He knew the individual by name and she claimed the bike was hers. My daughter proved otherwise, with serial numbers, that she was the rightful owner and the police returned the bike. There was no apparent follow-up or recourse for the incident.
That was then and this is now.
With the ASK Wellness Society in the limelight and a civic election just concluded, I took it upon myself to phone ASK Wellness and ask them to please shed some light on the past theft. I asked if they knew a client was responsible for theft, what would be the organization’s recourse?
The ASK Wellness representative was not compassionate, helpful or resourceful in any way. She was probably the most experienced deflector with whom I have ever spoken.
The next part can only be found in the movies. The same bike was stolen from the Sahali Mall entrance (two good locks cut) hours after I spoke with ASK Wellness. My daughter filed a police report and I immediately returned to the stolen bike ranch on Mission Flats, operated by ASK Wellness.
As I entered the parking lot, I witnessed an individual on the stolen bike. I probably should have called 911, but I believe my frustration level would have been escalated by the inability to charge these prolific re-offenders due to the justice system’s catch-and-release pattern.
The shift supervisor at Mission Flats Manor was incredibly helpful and understanding as I lost all composure (with no violence) with the thief involved. I once again retrieved the stolen bike. I’m in the process of trying talk to ASK Wellness (going above the deflecting call receiver). Charges will not be pursued regardless of proof of timeline and video.
I voted in the Oct. 15 civic election and tried to clear all of the bleeding hearts from council. Rewarding bad behaviour does not work.
The current build it and they will come regime has got to go. More shelters bring in more crime and disorder. I not sure of the answer, but what ASK Wellness and the Canadian Mental Health Association are doing is not working and they, along with their clients, need to be held accountable.
I am so frustrated with current governments and self-serving societies. We treat these prolific offenders better than we treat our seniors. I hope the new mayor and council can help fix this out-of-control problem.
Randy Schenk
Kamloops
