Cup O’ Joe: Keep your eyes open

Living in a small, close-knit community has its advantages. Everyone seems to know everyone else, either by name or profession. People are cordial and say “hello” as you walk down the street and will pitch in to lend a hand if they see someone in need of help.
And typically, there is less crime.
    So when a crime happens in your neighborhood, it tends to raise some red flags. Such was the case Saturday afternoon, when a casual game of “UNO” with the family was interrupted when I noticed activity at my next-door neighbor’s house.
I like to think it’s the reporter’s instinct in me, while my wife says it’s just me being nosy. Whatever the case, when something looks out of place, I tend to scrutinize. So when I spotted a couple of people milling around outside my neighbor’s home, I knew something was up and off I went to investigate.
As it turns out, someone had broken into my neighbor’s home by forcing their way in through the locked kitchen door. The police were promptly called and arrived in a short amount of time to begin their investigation.
Once inside, the person or persons rummaged through the kitchen cabinets, office, medicine cabinet and bedrooms, leaving a messy trail behind. My neighbor travels for work and tends to be gone for extended periods at a time. Chances are, his home was being watched and whoever burglarized it, knew he would not be home.
Surprisingly, other items were not touched in the home, which could have easily been pawned.
The news did not sit well with my wife and I tried to downplay it as much as possible in front of the children.
It was a sobering experience for sure. I learned a lesson Saturday, that Houlton is not immune to crime that plagues bigger cities. A locked door is not an automatic deterrent any more.
Whenever I’ve spoken to the police in the past for other news stories, I have been told that cars and homes are typically not broken into. Usually it’s a matter of someone leaving a door unlocked in a vehicle, resulting in spare change and music being taken.
This event turns the threat level up a notch, at least in my mind. I’m sure the down economy has much to do with it, leading people to take more drastic measures to either get a pharmaceutical fix or score quick cash.
It has me more alert to any little noise I hear at night, whereas in the past I would have shrugged it off as one of the cats roaming through the house. It also has made me become more aware of what is going on around me and hopefully others will feel the same way. If you see something that is just not quite right, check it out. If you are not comfortable doing so, call the police and let them do it.
We live in a small community for a reason. Let’s do our part to look out for our fellow neighbor.
Joseph Cyr is a staff writer for the Houlton Pioneer Times. He can be reached at pioneertimes@nepublish.com or 532-2281.