I used to feel safe in my home in Ridgecrest. Not anymore.

About two weeks ago, I noticed my lawn mower was missing from a shed in my back yard. I had just had it worked on and a new gear control replaced. I had not used it since having it repaired. It was in the building with no doors, where it had been for years.

I had a wheel barrow pushed up against it. Only the handle showed. Someone moved the wheel barrow, took the mower and replaced the wheel barrow.

They also went into the other building and took my leaf blower and extension cord.

I reported this to the sheriff’s office, knowing there was nothing they could do.

I feel so violated. To think someone would come into my yard, really upsets me. I saw in the newspaper that Tim McCann had things stolen. I know just how he feels.

It is sad when we don’t feel safe in our homes anymore. So many senior citizens live alone now. Do we have to worry all the time about our safety and our property?

There should be an automatic jail time for stealing. I believe it would slow the rate down.

My son put me up a street light in my backyard and it is bright as day. The theft could have occurred in the daytime. If my car is gone, nobody is home and my neighbors are either home bound or working. We are sitting ducks.

I hate to think my things were stolen to be sold to buy drugs. We never had this problem until drugs got so bad.

You get caught selling drugs and you get a slap on the wrist, jail time suspended.

It is bad to read the court cases these days.

Do I sound bitter? Well, I am.

Catherine Micheau

Ridgecrest resident