Who’da thunk?

NEW STRAITSVILLE — A rash of burglaries in New Straitsville has some local residents concerned, especially since a police officer no longer patrols the area.

New Straitsville Police Chief Kevin Ginsell was laid off from his position last Monday, July 12, and since then there have been four burglaries in the downtown area.
Council Member Chris Tigner says the village can no longer afford to pay for police protection. “It was to save money with the village,” he said, explaining that different funding sources were considered to pay for Ginsell’s services, yet nothing panned out.

The latest break in was perhaps the most brazen of all – it took place at the building housing both the mayor’s office and police department early Monday morning. Although details about the burglary are sketchy at best, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and the Perry County Sheriff’s Office were on scene yesterday afternooon snapping photographs and gathering evidence of the crime.

The case is ongoing, and little is known at this time, noted Perry County Sheriff’s Deputy Justin Spring, who was at the scene assisting BCI.

“I have not heard a single thing yet,” reiterated Sgt. John Russell from the sheriff’s office.

Perry County Sheriff William Barker could not be reached for comment.

Other businesses burglarized last week include the Southern Perry Incubation Center for Entrepreneurs, the United Pentecostal Church and the New Straitsville Library. Details about those thefts are vague as well, especially since the office handling the reports – the police station – was burglarized itself. Messages were left with New Straitsville Mayor Dave Brown and Perry County Prosecutor Joe Flautt seeking comment.

A former council member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the financial situation in the village is so tight that some employees once went seven months without being paid.

“The crime has been bad out here,” the former official continued. “It’s almost like living in the olden days. There is no law in this town now. With no law, [criminals] can do what they want. This is a mess, and I look for more crime to happen.”

The crimes are unnerving for the former council member, who now locks the doors at home.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s the politicians who should go first. The multiple city council members are not as necessary as the police officer.

This is a microcosm of things to come.

h/t Backwoods Survival Blog