If you can, look beyond the immediate violation of having your car stolen and torched. The very act itself is beyond upsetting, more like something approaching infuriating.
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To think someone would come into your yard or garage or steal your car from the front of your house leaves behind an uneasy feeling.
Learning that they have done so for no other reason than to torch it in the early hours of the morning evokes, sadly, the kind of rage all too many Orange residents have had to deal with in recent months.
In a broader sense, it is more than the vehicle that is taken during these acts. The victim's sense of safety and community is also taken, and a sense of anxiety and fear is left in its place.
This is a small - in more than one sense of the word - segment of the community, one which has as much regard for other people's possessions as they for the safety and wellbeing of those they're endangering.
The act also leaves many burning questions about whether the offender will return and if the victim is safe in their own home.
It creates a heightened vigilance above what we should already be doing to ensure our home and vehicle are safe and secure.
Then there is the monetary value of the act, which often times means not just replacing the car but the items that were left inside. No one quibbles about loose change in the glove box, but often expensive car seats and prams are left in the car, costing hundreds or thousands to replace.
VIDEO: A car fire on the Easter long weekend ...
In the past week alone we've seen six more examples of this pointless destruction. Most of us cannot imagine putting a total stranger through such heartbreak and loss.
But we're not referring to most of us. This is a small - in more than one sense of the word - segment of the community, one which has as much regard for other people's possessions as they for the safety and wellbeing of those they're endangering, which includes themselves.
What can we do to stop the rot? Plenty - there lots of sensible and simple measures which we can all institute, if only because losing sleep from worry is not a feasible or healthy way to live.
We must ensure our homes and vehicles are less appealing to wannabe thieves. Do not leave keys in the car, do not leave valuables in plain sight, and if you have to park on the street, park in a well-lit area if possible.
Most importantly, if you see something, or if you know something, tell the police. Not later, not one day - now. The more information they have, the more likely it is police will be able to catch the offenders and reduce the statistics.
Enough's enough - let's stop this stupidity.
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