Old East Village businesses consider foot patrols after rash of break-ins and vandalism

Mystic Bookshop was burglarized over the past weekend

Image | Mystic Bookshop

Caption: The front door of the Mystic Bookshop after a break-in this past weekend. (The Mystic Bookshop)

Following several break-ins and acts of vandalism along Dundas Street in London's Old East Village, business owners and community members are considering starting a community foot patrol to curb future crime.
One of the latest businesses to fall victim to is The Mystic Bookshop. The decades-old store at 612 Dundas Street was burglarized this past weekend, with the front door smashed in and some items being stolen.
But when Mary Beechie, the shop's owner, first learned her business was hit, she said she wasn't surprised.
"I think every building along here has been smashed. Not just broken into, but just smashed for the sake of vandalizing empty buildings. Even the mental health building, all of their windows were smashed," she said.

Image | Mystic Bookshop

Caption: A cash register on the floor after a break-in at the Mystic Bookshop. (The Mystic Bookshop)

"We've been struck a lot of blows lately with the pandemic and also with the construction that's going on on the street, which we really knew was coming. But with that, we've had another … just an onslaught of criminal behaviour in the neighbourhood."
Beechie said police were supposed to increase patrols in the evening because of the road being closed for construction, but the break-in wasn't discovered until the morning. As a temporary security measure, her partner has been sleeping in the store.
The situation has Beechie and other members of the community looking to potentially start a community foot patrol where groups will take scheduled walks around the neighbourhood to deter crime.

Image | Mystic Bookshop

Caption: The front door of the Mystic Bookshop after a break-in this past weekend. (The Mystic Bookshop)

"We really feel like we're on our own here, that there really is no police response to a lot of our complaints," she said, adding they're not trying or want to be vigilantes, they just want to make it a "less appealing neighbourhood" for crime.

Property crimes on the rise

London Police Deputy Chief Trish McIntyre said there's been a rising trend in property crimes, especially in the core of cities, during the pandemic.
She said the police have been receiving more calls for services to help with break-ins and other vandalism and in response, the police have started a "comprehensive project" with foot patrol members to narrow down when those crimes are happening.
"We look specifically at the data," said McIntyre. "So, where are those crimes occurring? One of the things we ask of everyone in the public is to report them. And although they seem kind of trivial to them and they feel okay, like the police are busy… [it is] critical that they do."
McIntyre says they'll use the data to determine where officers will be deployed in the coming weeks.

Image | Mystic Bookshop

Caption: Broken glass after the break-in at Mystic Bookshop (The Mystic Bookshop)

When it comes to civilians starting their own foot patrol, McIntyre said she understands the thinking but there could be tremendous risk.
"I hear that concern, but then we have to look at property versus person crimes, and it's not worth the risk to human life. It's not worth that risk of physical injury," she said.
"And that's the gap there. I understand the thinking, but the police are equipped and are trained to deal with that unknown segment."
To prevent a potential future break-in at the shop, Beechie said they will be increasing security by adding bars or a barrier to their storefront and changing the layout of their store so no valuables will be in sight. As for the community foot patrol, that has yet to be determined.