Burglaries and such crimes are so frequent that they do not shock anymore. When you tell people that you have been burgled, they are more prone to seek where you have failed in preventing such mishaps than to condemn the crime itself!

Even more seriously the growing tendency to consider robbers as victims of social exclusion, perniciously alleviates their misdeeds and encourages copycat cases.

For instance, commenting on the increasing number of thefts during his visit at my burgled property last week, one of the police officers remarked that low wages and poverty could be contributing to such a situation. He could be right in some respects, but perceived poverty can?t excuse the act of stealing others especially if it is to satisfy wants rather than vital needs.

Moreover, such reasonings are an insult to the genuinely poor people who suffer in silence until tragedy sheds light on their wretched conditions. A perfect example is that mother of 10 who, until the heart-rending accident that claimed the life of one of her children, was anonymously paddling in extreme poverty to meet the needs of her large family.

People overwhelmed by such miserable conditions neither have the time nor the strength and logistics to roam the island in search of properties to plunder! Robbery is an easier means to make money than working decently especially when opportunities and facilities seem to pave the way of criminals.

Why should Prestley sweat under his welding machine for Rs 600 a day repairing my torn burglar-proof devices when he could have broken into my property and reaped tens of thousands of rupees worth articles within minutes like the burglars whose chances of being caught and severely punished seem quite flimsy? (Previous visits have never been elucidated).

I believe that the only reasonable reason behind him working honestly is that he thinks it is immoral to rob people! As a CPE failed chap, Presley could have played the card of exclusion but he preferred to learn a trade and sweat his way through life. He fully deserves praise and respect.

To encourage such industrious and rightful attitudes, we should endeavour to decry crime as an insult to humanity and society rather than portraying it a by-product of social inequity. Besides, robberies discourage economic activities and do not help job creation so vital for the fight against exclusion. Why should a majority of honest citizens be allowed to suffer for the sole greediness of a few ill-intentioned individuals?

<B>More punishment and solidarity</B>

There should be more publicity around the capture and condemnation of burglars, in absence of which there might be a dangerous perception of impunity favourable to such crime. Expected punishments might well be behind the low rate of robbery in countries like Singapore.

People should exercise more solidarity and check upon each other?s property. Indifference fuels wrong-doing. Therefore any suspect behaviour should be reported promptly to the police.

It is important to share information among neighbours. A bungalow was recently plundered at leisure by criminals who took the pain of loading the contents in a lorry. When questioned by a neighbour, the driver said the occupier was moving to another house! Had the information been cross-checked, the robbery could have aborted. More regular police patrols are desirable in vulnerable places.

It is also vital that bushy and neglected plot of lands be adequately cleaned and maintained by their owners as they contribute to criminal activities offering perfect hiding places for criminals besides being potential breeding grounds for dreadful mosquitoes.

Moreover, bushy lands constitute a potential fire hazard and threaten the safety of inhabited surroundings. Enclaved between high standard hotels, Morcellement Port-aux-Tortues in Balaclava bears many such plot of lands. Should careless land owners be allowed to undermine the welfare of both innocent locals and visitors?

Burglaries hinder interpersonal and commercial exchanges by endangering public security. Unchecked, they might end up nailing the coffin of prosperity in society and lead to an increase in poverty.

Let?s conjugate our efforts to fight robbery rather than trying to justify its prevalence in our country.

<B>Alain JEANNOT</B>