'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
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.