Burglary and robbery numbers are up

The news is not good.
Times are tough and people are turning to illegal activities to make ends meet.
In the recent past, robberies and burglaries were attributed mostly to drug related activities.
Today, that is unfortunately not the case.
Many are turning to illegal activities to feed their family and to make ends meet.
The sophisticated burglary of Morris Jewelers in Seymour on Chapman Highway last Saturday has brought out the professional thief.
Just a few days prior to that, the SunTrust Bank in Pigeon Forge was robbed.
That’s just naming two major thefts in the past few days.
During a recent lunch with Sevier County Sheriff Ron Seals, he told me that during times like these is when some good people turn to illegal activities.
Not long ago the man that held up a convenience store with his young child by his side was all over the news.
This is the sign of a desperate man in desperate times.
He didn’t have any money and wasn’t able to pay the bills or feed his child.
Unfortunately during times like these we need to help each other as much as we can.
Those fortunate enough to have a steady income, retirement check or are financially ‘set’ need to take an inventory of just how prosperous they are and in what ways can they assist those in dire straights.
You will discover that by helping others, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment.
We’ve all heard that it is better to give than to receive.
It’s true.
Let me suggest that you start by looking around at your own neighborhood. Then contact your church and even the principals at our local schools.
It won’t be long before you will feel fulfilled by making someone else’s life bearable during these tough times.
My small way of helping is by providing anyone that is unemployed a free classified ad for four weeks. Simply email your classified ad to ‘classifieds@seymourherald.com’ verifying that you are unemployed and we’ll starting running it.
Think of how you can help.