CRIMINAL behaviour is not acceptable at any time of the year.
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But there is something particularly alarming about crimes commited around Christmas time. Regardless of your beliefs or feelings towards the festive season, there is no doubt the community in general finds some extra generosity and a spirit of good will at this time of year.
That’s what makes petty, selfish acts, such as theft and vandalism, all the more hard to take.
Unfortunately we have seen a few of these incidents in Armidale in the past few weeks, and some of them have been particularly rotten. Yesterday a couple in south Armidale had to tell their seven-year-old son his bike had been stolen on Christmas Day. Little Tylor Patton loved his bike too. Most kids his age do.
But someone decided to deprive this young man of his bike on the very day that is supposed to epitomise giving.
Earlier this month there was also the case of Bob Byfield and his handmade, wooden decorations. They were stolen from the front of his home in south Armidale.
Just why anyone would want to steal these items is perhaps only a question the thieves could answer. They certainly weren’t worth anything, except to Mr Byfield, who spent up to two weeks crafting them.
And that’s the point. These acts of thievery seem trivial compared to incidents relating to rape, assault or murder but to the victim involved it is nonetheless upsetting, scary or costly.
Mr Byfield enjoyed making and displaying his decorations and children in his neighbourheood liked seeing them.
Young Tylor’s bike only cost about $100 and that’s not a fortune even for the least well off in our community. But can you really put a price on a child’s bike? Not to them you can’t.
His mum and dad expressed the same concern many people are these days when they asked what the community is coming to?
On the upside, there are some more pleasant stories to come out of these exampls of criminality. In both cases the more generous and community-minded spirit of Christmas has shone through.
Mr Byfield got his decorations back thanks to a tip-off to police from a resident. In Tylor’s case a school friend offered his old bike to replace the one stolen.
These are good gestures from decent people.
If only everyone was like them, at Christmas and any other time of the year.
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The Armidale Express
115 Faulkner Street
Armidale
NSW, 2350
Email:
lydia.roberts@fairfaxmedia.com.au
