It’s not just about the theft of a kayak

Perhaps under the cloak of darkness, someone approached the kayak I had securely chained and locked to its assigned rack at Mill Creek Park’s East Newport Boat Launch.

Wielding bolt-cutters, the thief swiftly cut the heavy-duty chain, removed my kayak, threw it into a waiting van or pickup truck and fled the park.

The only clue as to how my kayak had vanished was half of a chain link bearing bolt-cutter marks. That tiny remnant of the crime lay on the bottom of the overturned kayak that was still chained to the rack beneath mine.

With that act this fall, I became a theft victim for the third time in the past 14 months.

Even though I had locked my car doors and Clubbed the steering wheel when I parked at a local restaurant in July, a thief smashed a small triangular rear window to steal my binoculars, which I had unwisely left in plain view on the back seat.

A year ago, someone removed the front and rear lights and computer from my bicycle, which was securely chained and locked to a tree at the park’s boat launch, while I kayaked on Lake Newport.

You and I have always been aware of the thief living among us, who has the bad habit of stealing things to pawn or sell to obtain drug money.

That kind of theft could account for the disappearance of my binoculars, but I don’t think the same explanation applies to my stolen kayak.

I believe that my 11-foot-long boat, the largest and most accessible of all the kayaks on the rack, was taken by a fellow kayaker, who was unable or unwilling to buy his own boat.

Despite frequent park police patrols, that thief likely seized the opportunity to steal my kayak from the deserted launch during the waning days of the boating season.

However, my kayak won’t be easy to hide because it has a distinctive blend of bright red, orange and yellow coloring in addition to its identifiable brand name, state license and serial number.

Security cameras

When I discussed the nuisance theft of my bicycle accessories with a park official last year, he suggested the park administration could consider installing security cameras at the boat launch, as it had done at the East Golf Hike and Bike Trail.

I shudder to contemplate the infringement on privacy associated with having such cameras at every venue, but I may have to accept that as a sign of our economically and morally troubled times.

My experiences reinforce recent published remarks by longtime Prosecutor Robert Herron in rural Columbiana County.

Citing a recent rise in thefts, Herron warned residents to secure and hide their possessions at a time when drug addiction and economic distress are rampant.

Herron urged residents to close their car windows and lock their cars, leaving no valuables in plain sight.

Cars, ATVs, and motorcycles should be kept in locked garages with their keys removed, he urged.

It’s easy and convenient to offer an economic explanation for the rise in thievery, but that’s no excuse for it. The rampant thievery is also a symptom of a decline in morality.

Sadly, there seems to be a prevailing belief in some segments of our society that those who aren’t strong enough, smart enough or vigilant enough to protect their possessions deserve to lose them.

Based on my experience and Herron’s advice, I strongly urge you to secure your property — cars, boats, bikes, lawnmowers, snowblowers, tools, laptops, cell phones, Ipods, global positioning units — anything of value, because somebody out there wants these things, but doesn’t want to pay for them.

By the way, if you spot my multi-colored, 11-foot Victory kayak, please contact me at milliken@vindy.com, or call Lt. Bruce Emery of the park police, who has thoroughly investigated its disappearance and registered it on the state computer as stolen property.

X Milliken is a Vindicator reporter who covers the Mahoning County Courthouse.