Irreplaceable
Diane L. Lyon, Burlington
Thursday, October 2, 2008
THIS LETTER IS to the individual who felt they had the right to steal my Kodak Z712 digital camera from my car while I was parked at Walgreen’s on Monday, Sept. 8, 2008.
Just because I may have left one window rolled down too far does NOT give you the right to take my possessions from my property! Now, sure I would love to have my camera back as it is an expensive camera and I saved a long time to be able to purchase it.
But what I would love even more is to be able to get the memory card from the camera back. You see, the camera is replaceable, however the pictures on the memory card are irreplaceable. They are of an event — my grandaughter’s fifth birthday party — and are irreplaceable. So if you have it in your heart to return the memory card, please mail it to “Current Resident,” 209 Hudson St., Burlington, KS 66839.
tillie (anonymous) says...
Thieves are everywhere. Don't make it tempting for them!!!
October 2, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OutsiderJ (anonymous) says...
Blaming the victim of a crime for the crime they are a victim of is small and ignorant. You should think before you speak.
I feel for Mrs. Lyon and hope she gets those precious memories back as doubtful as it is. What is the problem with the world when just because something is tempting or easy to take, these pathetic bags of human waste feel justified in stealing. There are few things worse than a thief, and someone that would blame the target of theft for the crime.
October 2, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
On the mark again, OutsiderJ !
October 2, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tillie (anonymous) says...
Wow!!! TOUCHY!!! Common sense dictates that in today's world, you lock your car, roll up your windows and for goodness sake hide or remove any valuables.
October 2, 2008 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
equalrights (anonymous) says...
It's that attitude that plays into the 'entitlement' that certain people feel when they take things. However, I should be able to leave my stuff on the hood of my car without having it stolen. Common sense would dictate that you don't take what doesn't belong to you.
October 2, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
tillie (anonymous) says...
I agree. Stealing is wrong. Be proactive to avoid it. That's all I'm saying.
October 2, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Right on OutsiderJ and equal rights. Thieves have not only stolen our goods, they have stolen our ability to feel comfortable in any setting. We have no peace of mind. But to make excuses for those lousy thieves and to blame the victim just doubles the crime.
It has nothing to do with common sense. Too many people actually believe that because my garage is open they can help themselves to my lawn mower. "She was asking for it" is an all too common excuse.
I'm sorry for your loss, Ms Lyon. I hope whoever this thief was that you get your memory card back. It wasn't your fault.
October 2, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
People with a conscience seems to be far and few these days. If nothing else, I hope your story will remind others of the impact their bad choices have on real people.
How many times have we thought that we are just running in somewhere and who would have the nerve to break into a car in broad daylight? Thanks for the harsh reminder that low life criminals crawl around our community.
Diane, Does your vehicle insurance cover the loss?
Also, check the pawn shops.
October 2, 2008 at 9:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
while it's true you should always secure your valuables (bolt it down or lock it up if you don't want it stolen), NOBODY should directly or indirectly condone a person who takes advantage of an open window or unlocked door by saying "it's your fault for not locking your car".
look in the crime reports for how many damage calls there are. i know from my neighbors that their windows were knocked out just the other day. and oh by the way, their doors were locked. some of my other friends quit locking their car doors because their windows kept getting broken by the thieves who wanted whatever they could grab.
maybe it's time to put blame where blame is due. LEGISLATORS....start putting some teeth into the laws and the sentencing guidelines and keep some of these idiot thieves where they belong. i realize that jail is not always an option for "minor" crimes, but at least put them on house arrest or gps monitoring so we can cut down on stuff like this.
October 3, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cookatwork (anonymous) says...
Unfortunately the person who took the camera probably WON'T be reading the paper - BUT hopefully someone who knows them and sees that they aquired an expensive new digital camera within this timeline WILL and will have the morals to help them do the right thing. I grew up in a very small town - the kind where you left your front door unlocked all day and left your keys in your car, because you trusted your neighbors. THAT is one thing that I have always liked about Emporia, is that small town feel - but when things like this happen it brings you back to reality and makes you think twice. I do hope that you are one of the lucky ones who get your memories returned to you.
October 4, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
"maybe it's time to put blame where blame is due. LEGISLATORS....start putting some teeth into the laws and the sentencing guidelines and keep some of these idiot thieves where they belong"
Have to disagree with you there dhcc66, laws only deter those that follow them. Criminals have little or no conscience, they do not comply to normal standards or rules and are not afraid the criminal justice system. You could have laws that would require huge fines and long jail terms, that would not stop the dirt bags and desperate folks from stealing nor breaking other laws. I regret Ms. Lyon lost her camera, but I'm not surprised that it did happen in today's society.
That's where the blame lies IMO, our society has allowed the changes that have taken place in the last 20-30 years in Emporia.
October 4, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )