Although we live in a world where much of our information is circulated electronically, we continue to rely on a postal system for some important purposes.
For many, bills and cheques are still sent through the mail, as are parcels and documents.
Some of the information is sensitive and confidential.
For these reasons, we are concerned about the two incidents over the past week of mailboxes being forced open.
This is not just a Summerland problem. Other cases have also been reported elsewhere in the region.
At first glance, damage to mailboxes appears to be a nuisance crime and an inconvenience.
However, when an awaited cheque does not appear or when billing information does not arrive, the matter becomes much more serious.
If a newly issued credit card is among the items taken, or if personal financial information or legal documents are missing, the ramifications can be significant.
Unlike other thefts, it is often impossible to determine what has been stolen when mailboxes have been entered.
One does not know in advance what has come in the day’s mail.
The warnings about checking one’s mail regularly are useful, but it is more important to take measures to ensure this problem does not occur again.
If anyone has seen something suspcious when the mailbox incidents occurred, or if anyone has information, however minor, about this crime, please call the police or Crime Stoppers to report it.
The next time something like this occurs, it could be your own financial information or personal data which has been compromised.