THUNDER BAY – Crimebeat – The Thunder Bay Police Service has received complaints from residents in flooded neighbourhoods regarding the removal of property from the exterior of their homes.
Flood victims have been removing wet and damaged furnishings, appliances and other household items from their homes and placing them outside to dry or be disposed of.
Some individuals have been scavenging some of these items without the permission of home owners.
It is not as if the people struggling to overcome the problems of flooded basements, and the loss of some of their irreplaceable heirlooms need added burdens.
They may be assuming that these items are free for the taking. This is often not the case.
Two issues need to be kept in mind. These items may still be wanted by the flood victims, which would make the removal a theft. The second issue is that contaminated property that has not been cleaned or disinfected can be a health hazard for persons who are picking them up.
Chief J.P. Levesque reminds everyone: “Get permission from the property owner before you help yourself to damaged goods. Know what you’re picking up first.”
Police have extra patrols in place in the city’s east end. Suspicious persons should be reported to police.