School rankings Educators see nothing new in annual report card. PAGE 15 Good connection Annual fundraising walk supports Kids Help Phone. PAGE 18 Favourite things Port Theatre audience participates in singalong. PAGE 3
Senior B T-men start PAGE B1
WWW.DANMORRIS.CA 250-751-1223
8225 Southwind Drive $769,000**
Amazing View, 2.5 Acres 4 Bedroom, 3 Bathroom, 3075 sqft
** MUST SELL - Special Price Available - Call For Details
Dan Morris Nanaimo’s Listing Specialist
www.nanaimobulletin.com
THURSDAY, MAY 3, 2012
VOL. 24, NO. 2
Bike shops target of break-ins
Habitat seeks applications for housing project
I
OWNERS SLEEP over to protect property from thieves.
BY RACHEL STERN THE NEWS BULLETIN
BY TOBY GORMAN THE NEWS BULLETIN
A recent cycle of break-ins at Nanaimo bike stores have caused at least two shop owners to take the unusual step of personally guarding their businesses in the early morning hours. Kebble Sheaff, owner of Arrowsmith Bikes, said his Nanaimo location has been the victim of three break-ins in the last month, with two of those occurring in the last week. On Sunday, thieves tried to gain entry through the beefy steel back door, eventually giving up before smashing through the front of the store and ripping out the security bars. They took a “weird, random assortment” of used bikes, helmets and gloves, said Sheaff. “Usually they take the most expensive bikes. I’m not sure what they plan to do with gloves,” he said. A week earlier, thieves destroyed the back door trying to get in. Unable to enter the store, they gave up and went to Oak Bay Bikes, prying the back door off enough to set off the alarm. One month ago, thieves broke into Arrowsmith by cracking open the rear door, stealing a few bikes that were in for service, a new expensive bike and a BMX bike. In January, Oak Bay also had an expensive downhill bike and mountain bike with 29-inch wheels stolen. A BMX bike was
Each office independently owned and operated
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Kebble Sheaff, owner of Arrowsmith Bikes, is one of two bike shops in town victimized by repeated break-ins in recent months. Sheaff, looking for ways to stem the losses, is in the process of beefing up existing security systems and sinking even more money into new, more elaborate ones.
abandoned in the parking lot. “This kind of activity has increased, for sure,” said Sean Lunny, co-owner of Oak Bay Bikes. “We’re getting scoped out a lot; guys coming by who are super dodgy and obviously not bike riders checking things out. We certainly feel like we’re being targeted, that’s for sure.” Sheaff has spent at least two nights sleeping at his store, while Lunny has set his alarm clock for 4 a.m. sweeps of his, passing by his competitor’s to make sure it was also safe. “We’re definitely communi-
Quality & Service at Budget Prices
cating, working together,” said Lunny. Thieves tried to break in on one of the nights Sheaff was at Arrowsmith, but the sounds of his “bitey dogs” barking scared them off. Still, his frustration is mounting. “It’s really disheartening,” he said. “I’m just a guy trying to make a living and these guys are laughing at me, busting in and taking whatever they please. It’s crazy. It’s discouraging.” Police are working with both shops by increasing patrols in the area overnight in an attempt
to find those responsible. “An investigation is being done,” said Const. Kate Mooney, Nanaimo RCMP spokeswoman. “We don’t necessarily have to catch those responsible redhanded. There are other ways.” Mooney added store owners staying overnight in their businesses should practise caution. “It’s an unusual step to take,” she said. “We don’t want anyone to be putting themselves in harm’s way, but at the same time you have to do your best to protect your business.” ◆ See ‘OWNERS’ /4
s U R s d l e i h Winds
No need nee to go to ICBC, come directly to us!
Wee h W have ave C Certifi ertifieed dW Windshield inddsshi hield Replacement T Replacement Technicians echnicians
deja vu at the same time.
3900 ISLAND HWY. N.
❘ 250.758.3374
Habitat for Humanity is ready to start construction on two new houses in Nanaimo and is looking for families seeking the opportunity to own a home. Teresa Pring, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island, said the organization hasn’t received as many applications as it normally would at this point in the process. She said there’s a misconception that families have to be homeless to apply, but that’s not the case. “We want to get the messa g e out to struggling, PRING low-income, working families that they are the right fit for us,” she said. “This is a fantastic opportunity for a local family. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a family to purchase a house.” Families interested in the possibility of becoming a Habitat for Humanity family have until May 11 to apply. Habitat allows a family to own a home by providing an interest-free loan. It can save a family about $200,000, based on the average home sold for $250,000. The interest-free loan and energy efficiency of the homes makes it more affordable than renting, and allows families to pay the lower mortgage rate and use money left over for other necessities. ◆ See ‘PARTICIPANTS’ /5
❘
www.bud www.budgetglass.com