Gift giving also means higher theft; if gone, contact VCSO

Christmas is approaching and people are buying gifts for their family and friends and will be spending time with each other. It is the time of year for giving to others, something from you to someone who is a special part of your life.

Unfortunately, this time of year also brings an increase in thefts. People have more newly purchased items in their houses during the week of Christmas than they will likely have at any other time of the year.

I spoke with someone who was brought into our jail this last week for stealing. This person was very upset, not as much about getting caught, but that it had come to this point in this person's life that they were sitting in the County Jail instead of being at home with their children.

We had also found methamphetamines on this person, and when I asked them why they were taking such harmful drugs, they replied that everything in their life was falling apart, and drugs made it easier to handle.

Like a big majority of other cases we deal with, the methamphetamine addiction is what led to the stealing. If you do not have the money to buy the stuff that you think makes you feel better, then what else is there to do?

Of course we all know that drugs will not help at all with any problems in life; in fact it is just the opposite, but once a person allows themself to get into that position, it becomes hard to see the difference.

It is sad to see people in this position, but it is also sad to see the other side of the story, the people who are robbed and wronged for the bad decisions of someone else. There will be some, like the person I mentioned above that may not think they have much to celebrate this holiday season, but there is always something worth living for in this life.

Abraham Lincoln said, "The best thing about the future is that it comes one day at a time."

Take that day and make it better than the last.

People should spend time with their families this week, and enjoy their Christmas Holiday, but I would like to remind everyone to be careful when traveling, and to notify the Sheriff's Office if you plan to be out of town, so we can help keep an eye on your home.

To have your home put on the "extra patrol" list, call the Sheriff's Office at 417-283-4400.