For years, Canadian criminals have been robbing their fellow citizens blind.

This is no secret, and with the wave of bust and boom economies, home break-ins and vehicle theft have been a curse to our society.  Yet, despite promises of greater funding by federal and provincial governments and increased scrutiny via security cameras and Citizens On Patrol there has been no great reduction in crime rates.

To the everyday citizen, not only is there frustration when someone is struck with theft-personal or business and IF the individual is caught, there is no punishment that seemingly impacts their poor personal choices.

After all, is not theft violating one of the 10 Commandments?

Not only that, but even IF an individual or crime ring IS caught in a sting AND charges are laid by RCMP, the odds are that most or all of the convictions will be thrown out and the perpetrator (s) will be free to commit crimes once again AND escape without penalty.  Meanwhile, those whose goods have been stolen are left to pick up the pieces and face increased insurance costs and security issues.

Therein lies the crux of our dilemma.

We have a legal system that is supposed to punish law breakers.

The question is whether or not a thief, or ring of thieves are ever penalized accordingly.

Let me tell you about a real life case that occurred in Central Alberta where a house was repeatedly reported for disturbances at all hours of the night and over a period of a couple of years, police raided the house and took truck loads of stolen items out of the garage.  During that time, this home also was used to sell drugs and was involved in a vehicular homicide case.

More than 50 charges were laid to 2 individuals.

Fewer than 5 charges were laid and during their crime spree, they were released and broke bail AND stole vehicles and led police on a chase through another community.

The final value of items stolen was upwards of $500,000 yet there was no financial penalty to the individuals and it can be assumed that after their minimal jail time, they went back to work stealing the fruits of others labors!

This is by no means a solo story, but rather a common tale that has frustrated hard working individuals around Canada.

How can society at large and the court systems put a real stop to criminal activities?

As young people, we are taught not to lie and steal, that human life is sacred and that we are to honour our mother and father.  Yet we tolerate games like Grand Theft Auto, where players are supposed to steal vehicles and escape.  We tolerate entertainment that glorifies gangsters, pedophiles, rapists, thieves, drug dealers and murderers.  In fact, we often even give them Academy Awards for excellence of something.

There is a simple concept that was entrenched in old societies and some native tribes as well that dealt with debt and theft.

Jewish custom demanded that if you stole something, you returned it or recompensed the owner of the item.  Tribal beliefs and customs often demanded the same of thieves.

In society today, we have abandoned the concept of personal financial responsibility of theft.  Can you imagine the ‘fictional’ couple who stole more than $500,000 of items in a couple of years in addition to their other activities if they had to repay every one of their victims?

Insurance, as we know it, is designed to repay owners for lost goods but it really diverts responsibility for the actions of those who believe it is their right to loot and steal the goods and rewards of others labor.

If you have goods stolen today, you call the police, file a police report and call your insurance company.

No problem, right…wrong.

The problem is that those who forced you to claim a theft, have penalized you in a few ways while they go on their way and fence the items and buy drugs, and other illicit items and services.  They may even build a deck or go on a vacation.

As the victim, you are penalized by your insurance company when your rates go up because you claimed the theft.  As the victim, you have to accept the fact that the value of your goods is likely more than what you will be paid out, so you lose.  If your company does not direct bill, then you pay first, then bill the company.  Not only that, but the more theft occurs, the rates across a region or province rise faster and just when you think you have it under control, you may get broken into again and start over!

Not to mention, the loss of security and safety by the homeowners themselves.

There is no winner.

You lose as the victim because the cost of the crime escalates our protections.

The criminal loses because there is NO financial penalty to make them aware that their choices cost people large amounts of money!  Morally, there is no lesson when they are caught as the laws will give them the least penalty possible!  They learn to use the system and nothing else.

Crime scene

If criminals are never forced to recompense victims, then how will our justice system ever work.  It is at best, a perpetual crime inducement factory!

Please listen law makers and government representatives.

Make criminals financially liable for their crimes!  If they steal $10,000 worth, then they repay $10,000!

There should be no limit to the costs they have to repay.  Theft is a selfish crime, and the consequences of their actions does not stop after they fence the items.

If we look down the line just one generation, and the children of the criminals have seen that their parents have stolen and ‘prospered,’ what will they do?  Will they turn their back on the immoral teaching and lead an honest work life?  We would hope that at some point that the children would, but if we look at our society the analogy of sexual or spousal abuse does not often stop in the 2^nd generation and is viewed as normal and guides each and every decision as long as the victim lives.

What is the real responsibility of our court systems?

Is it to penalize offenders or teach offenders?  Or is our justice system functioning as a complicated means to minimize the consequences of our actions?

In the case of household and business theft, I have ONE recommendation for the government of the day.  ENACT a law that repays DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR victims of theft by the thieves!

I firmly believe that this will go a long way to stopping crime in our society.

Poor decisions lead to poor outcomes.  Crime is Crime.  Dishonesty is Dishonesty.  There can be no sugar coating.  If we use the language of Jewish laws, the transgression is not to be condoned!

It is up to the law makers to make a stand and the governments of our day to truly create a penalty that STOPS instead of DIVERTS and DELAYS.

The Lone Ranger and the Riders of Justice Chapter 1

Read more from Tim Lasiuta.