What We All Fear The Most!

All my sympathy James, to you and your family for this regrettable event. I'm glad that you, your family and your stamps, are ok.
My brother, who lives on a Barcelona suburb, suffered also a robbery a year ago and I can fully understand your shock.

Sorry for your incident. Several houses in our townhouse development were broken into in the recent past, and while the Brampton police responded quickly the culprits have never been caught. Police were sure it was the work of teenagers looking for quick cash. Our times are changing and the youth today just don't seem to have the ethics with which we were given. Sadly, we all seem to advise the same thing --- turn our homes into fortresses. Luckily, no one in your family sustained bodily injury.

Well, I have to say I'm overwhelmed by the continuing responses to this situation. While we are grateful no one was hurt, and we continue to watch our daughter to make sure this hasn't effected her (in her stoic 16 year old way, she continues to insist this hasn't fazed her, but Mom and Dad know better), my wife and I discuss the realities of the situation.
Stuff happens. It's as simple as that. The loss of some heirlooms is certainly regrettable and it could have been much much worse. But, it wasn't.
Bad stuff happens in the country as well as the big city. And while I appreciate some of your sentiments, I could never condone arming myself. I'm a bit of a lefty, I'll admit, and I will quickly point out that statistically crime is down in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) despite the police and politicians cries to the opposite.
So that said, all we can do is be vigilant and lookout for one another. There's always going to be bad guys. And, although they've had their regrettable moments, I continue to have faith that our judicial system would work, should this guy be caught (which I doubt he will).
Life goes on.
Thankyou all for your kind thoughts.


...and Max thanks you too.

Wow, that really bites! Glad no one was hurt.

Hope he gets caught!

Yes jamesw, I am glad no one was hurt and that is the main thing.

Please keep us informed if you do hear any news about the culprits.

Chimo

Bujutsu

James all the above and more- I'm also just outside a city and the crime seems to be leaving the city and hitting the outreaches. From experience you will not sleep well and thats hard to get over but do all that is needed to support your daughter as she may be more affraid than she admits.
Also and I hate to say this but for vigelance- it is quite common for a burglar to wait a few weeks and return expecting now to get brand new items you have just replaced with insurance money. If only for a bit get those cheap loud alarms even if they are battery power. Possibly remove any other items that may be a secondary hit and are not covered if only for a short time. When this happened to me it was my garage and I set traps with treble hooks that would have done some damage but probably got me sued- (I'll send hooks free of charge if you want) .
Most important thing now is to find some peace and again keep an eye on your daughter . Everything is material except family.

So sorry to hear what happened. Thankfully your family is safe and the house wan't burned down, the dog was left unharmed. So much worse things could happen. The sense of violation is what is the worst to deal with. BTW the "mess" your intruder left behind is neater than my work space!!.
Chin up and be thankful that is all that happened.
Nick

It's funny. That's what a lot of folks here seem to be saying. Guess once I finish tidying it up, it'll be downright immaculate!

James,

Sorry to hear of your break-in. I'm glad that you and your family are safe. I was broken into years ago. They cleaned out my coin collection. Turns out it was the kids across the street. They spent it on candy and treats at the local stores. DD

WOW - so sorry to hear that happened. Hope they catch the guy and your family heals quickly

Sorry to hear about the loss ---its a fear all of us live with .As long as the family is safe.We keep certain security measures in place while both home and away.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. A friend of mine here in Oman got broken into and they stole all her electronics and (believe it or not) knives out of the kitchen. I have to agree with Easyone the youth of today
dont seem to have the ethics as in past generations. As long as your family is ok and the philatelics haven't been
harmed too much..

Chiming in - also sorry to hear about your loss, but I'm relieved as well that no one was hurt. I agree that family is paramount. The rest is 'stuff.' I also agree about the liklihood of a revisit. Also agree that it was probably kids.