Someone entered the John Howard Society through barred windows on the weekend to gain access to computers and monitors, a laptop, a camera and some petty cash, the group's administrator said Tuesday.
"They ripped the bars off and opened the windows and because the offices aren't alarmed they didn't come into the hallways at all but came into each window individually," said Ursula Morris about the Sunday incident.
Now the whole building is alarmed and monitored.
"I guess we're dealing with people who are experts," Morris said. "They pulled drawers out and threw stuff all over the place."
Police are investigating.
"We do believe that most of the people who walk through our doors appreciate the help that they get because it does help them move on in their lives. You always get some bad apples," she said.
Morris came out of a ten-year retirement from B.C. Corrections to help the board keep the society going.
"This community needs John Howard. We're the only organization that provides support for men who are in conflict with the law."
The financial hardship of coming up with an insurance deductible of $2,500 is another bitter pill, Morris added.
"I honestly don't know what that's going to mean to us," said Morris. "We can't work without computers. I have to say we won't close our doors because we're determined that's not going to happen. But we do need to get some funding."
The Northern John Howard Society offers programs to offenders and ex-offenders, including employment assistance, job coaching, referrals, family violence treatment, anger management counseling, volunteer coordination and youth advocacy.
Morris said the society has programs that are ongoing and staff will use their home computers to keep working.
"But people shouldn't have to do that."
