Community Gardens are wonderful places for city residents to come together in a healthy pastime that is good for them and the planet. Sadly, theft does happen.
It is unlikely we will ever be able to stop all theft from community gardens. Farmers experience theft of produce from their private property, as do homeowners from their private yards. However we have identified a number of actions for us, gardeners, and the City of Richmond to move forward on.
WHAT CAN THE COMMUNITY GARDENERS DO TO ADDRESS THEFT?
- Try planting less visible crops such as roots, or crops that people may not recognize such as yellow tomatoes
- Get to know their garden neighbours by name, and watch out for unfamiliar faces
- Consider creating a public donation box. “If you can’t beat ‘em, feed ‘em.” Thieves may just be hungry citizens.
- Be active in the garden, especially around harvest time. Consider setting up watch shifts.
- Avoid leaving ripe crops in the garden
- Keep their garden well maintained, so it really looks loved
- Dust plants with flour: to thieves it may look like pesticides (but don’t actually use pesticides!)
Gardeners are welcome and encouraged to work together on any of these initiatives. Please let us know if you would like some support.
SHOULD GARDENERS APPROACH SUSPECTED THIEVES?
Gardeners should consider their safety first, and whether or not to approach a stranger is completely at their own discretion and risk. If you are comfortable, consider introducing yourself to strangers in the garden, asking them if they have a plot or a friend who gardens there, and letting them know how the garden works. Unless they are directly picking from your plot, you can’t be completely sure that they are thieves, many friends and family are given permission to pick by the plot gardener.
CAN WE INSTALL CAMERAS, OR FAKE CAMERAS, TO CATCH THE THIEVES?
No. This is typically the first suggestion we hear, and we’ve looked into it closely in collaboration with City staff. In addition to the cost, installing cameras in public places violates privacy laws. While fake cameras would cost less and avoid the privacy issues, they instill a false sense of security for gardeners who may think they are being protected.
CAN WE PUT LOCKED FENCES OR GATES AROUND THE GARDENS TO KEEP THIEVES OUT?
No. Locked gates in public parks are not an option. We are, however, exploring a variety of fencing, gates, and other border defining options.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU EXPERIENCE THEFT:
Let us know by filling out the form below. Please use the form rather than emailing as we do receive a high volume of reports, and this form allows us to easily track this valuable information.
