'It's taking away from the real cause': Charlottetown thrift store sees increased theft, vandalism
Bibles for Missions has hired a security team following incidents
Staff at Bibles for Missions in Charlottetown say they have been experiencing growing theft and vandalism.
Over the past nine months, store operators said they have had retail items stolen on a regular basis from inside the store and from donation drop-offs, and items donated after hours get looted through, leaving a mess of anything they leave behind.
"If it's not something they want, they just leave a total mess for us to clean up," said assistant store manager Marg Schroder. "It's a shame because it's donations that could have been used."
The store has also had to deal with cases of vandalism.
A dumpster behind the store was broken into, and set on fire this past October. A window next to the fire was also broken.
"It makes you feel really bad that that's how people spend their time," said Schroder.
Increased security
In response, the store has hired a security team to prevent theft happening from within the store.
"We've had theft in the store pretty well everyday," said Schroder.
Bibles for Missions is a not-for-profit organization that donates their proceeds to The Bible League of Canada, a charity that delivers Bibles around the world, and Schroder said having to hire security guards for the store has taken money from those donations.
"It's taken away from the real cause," she said.
Schroder said it's difficult to not get discouraged.
"The prices are good enough. I don't know why anybody has to steal."
Charlottetown Police said its investigation into the cases of theft and vandalism are ongoing.
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