'It might be too late': OEV business owner begs for solutions to chronic break-ins
For the second time in a week an Old East Village store owner is coping with a break-in.
It’s the fourth in recent months at his store and part of a rash of business break-ins in the area.
“Our business can’t stand to have windows broken every other night, which seems to keep happening,” Lyndon Horsfall tells CTV News.
Agreeing to the Sunday morning interview, he admitted exhaustion at responding to yet another middle-of-the-night crime at the Mystic Bookshop. He and his wife own the store located near the intersection of Dundas and Adelaide, within sight of the police station.
It was 4 a.m. Sunday when a suspect busted in.
From Mystic Bookshop security camera, showing alleged Sunday breakin
From Mystic Bookshop security camera, showing alleged Sunday breakin
Within seconds he’d smashed a security camera indicating he knew where it was located.
The same camera caught a figure looking through the windows at 11:30 p.m. Saturday.
Police were called even though the video is a repeat of earlier crimes at the bookshop and other businesses.
Horsfall says the seemingly unstoppable smash and grabs have an emotional toll.
“One of the worst feelings in the world is when your wife, or your partner, is sobbing and crying wondering why they do what they do, and you have to hold them. And, you know it’s tough.”
And while there are novels in the Mystic Bookshop about witchcraft, Horsfall is passing on casting a spell and turning again to the city for help.
Ward Councillor Jesse Helmer, who in March spoke of sympathy with business owners in the area, promised Sunday the city is responding.
Via text, Helmer stated a clean-up team is active to assist business owners, while city staff have been trained to help keep eyes on the street.
It comes at a time Dundas East is undergoing major road construction.
The municipal effort although welcomed by Horsfall isn’t enough.
So, on occasion, he rolls out of bed and catches a few hours of sleep inside his store while keeping watch at night.
Although supportive of police officers, in general, he says he’s made interesting observation during those nights
“I’ve never seen a cop walk by.”
Yet, Helmers counters by commenting it is his understanding that London Police have increased foot patrols over the past couple of months.
Horsfall welcomes the move. But to increase security further he is working with his landlord to push through approvals to install metal shutters he can drop over his storefront at night.
But if the city won't approve them, Horsfall says he and his wife may be at a crossroads with their business a 30-year staple in Old East.
“We’re not gonna leave, but every time it happens you do think is this the last straw.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.