Thief in the Night!

Last night we had a lovely time at the NEWLO Christmas party.  Le Phare Bleu is a magical setting
and getting to be with colleagues in an informal setting was a real treat. Even Owen who had been sick all week, after having to take course of antibiotics, was able to enjoy the evening. So at quarter to eleven we packed it in with some very tired boys and headed home.

Everyone was tired so we went straight to bed and apparently slept through a great deal of excitement.

The levels of our house

Like many homes in Grenada you build on a steep hill and the top floor is the family home and then (as you can) you develop the levels below so that you can generate income. Ours is such a home, only we occupy the top floor and below us are three apartments. Last night all three were broken into.

Homes here have bars on the windows to deter theft and we always leave our windows open but put away any attractive items like cell phones at night. The most common way thieves steal things is to cut the screen and then use a hook to drag things to the window and then pull it out. Our friends Linda and Myriam had house keys where they could be stolen and thus the thieves were able to take the keys and let themselves in.  Janice, who you may have seen in a photo at the Concord falls with the boys, has one window with no bars which had always made me nervous. Her apartment is just below ground level so the window sits on the ground making it very easy to get into her home.

Janice's windows

Well sure enough that is what happened. Thank God she woke up and scared the guy, which in turn woke up other neighbours (although we all slept through this). The thief was confronted by these men on our property and fled without the things he had attempted to steal. The police came last night and have dusted for fingerprints.

The thief never came up to our level, we know because we had let 6 pairs of shoes out to dry and they were right where we left them. Being on the top level makes it tricky to get away, and the drop out our back porch is three stories so not exactly jumping distance!

So we will remain vigilant and bring our shoes in at night. I will also not hang laundry in a way that could obstruct the view of our doors and windows. Aiden will also have to close his window at night just in case. While it is disappointing that it happened, I am really impressed with our neighbours who came to the rescue! Still love my 'hood.

Aiden's window off our front deck