A Nanaimo woman’s positive outlook following a break-in compelled local police officers and a mechanic to give her a helping hand when she needed it most.
According to the Nanaimo RCMP, a 28-year-old single mother had her car broken into on Nov. 17 in the city’s downtown area. When officers arrived on scene, they learned that the woman’s car had been broken into recently and the window hadn’t been fixed yet because the woman couldn’t afford the repairs.
Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, told the News Bulletin that officers were able to figure out who committed the vehicle theft shortly after arriving on scene because there were surveillance cameras in the area. He said when officers asked the woman if she wanted to press charges against the individual, she said she didn’t want to because she believed the person responsible must have been dealing with problems much worse than her’s to commit the crime.
“We don’t hear that often,” O’Brien said, adding that the officers were stunned by her empathy and compassion.
O’Brien explained that the woman’s positive attitude had an effect on the officers, who decided to give her a $25 gas card and cover her deductible so that she could get her car fixed. The officers also offered her a turkey dinner and some gifts for her son at Christmas time.
“This young lady has got a young son and she’s just trying to get up in the morning and do her thing and she’s still got a good outlook on life. She’s not tainted. She’s not jaded, that’s why it stood out to the officers,” O’Brien said.
The woman’s vehicle was eventually taken to a local shop that learned of the situation and decided to install new windows for free, according to O’Brien, adding that the woman was very thankful for all the officers’ support, but didn’t want the food or gifts.
However, O’Brien said the officers fully intend to help her out at Christmas time.
“She’s still getting her turkey dinner,” he said.