Maine: the way life SHOULDN'T be

When the phone rings at my house, we usually have a pretty good idea of who could be on the other end. Jon and I understand that we're not exactly what most people would call popular. Hey, I'd rather have good friends than a lot of lame ones, so I don't feel too badly about our social situation. So, when we get a call, there's a good bet that it's one of the following.
1. My mom 2. His parents 3. My best friend 4. Jon's work
Other friends will call, but the list above is pretty comprehensive. We do screen our calls because while we love most of the people on that list, there are just times that neither of us feel like talking to the family and many times that Jon simply doesn't want to put in more than the 80+ hours he already works.
This weekend, the phone rang quite a bit; Jon is starting a new project at work. As a result, when it rang late yesterday morning, we had a good idea who it was. Jon told me to answer it and tell whomever it was from the plant that he wasn't home. (Yeah, my DH asks ME to LIE for him!! Imagine that!) I grabbed the phone:
Me: (sounding a bit pissy because we were about to head out with the girls) Hello?
Voice: Yes, is Erin there, please?
Me: (looking at receiver in annoyance) Erin is my 4 year old daughter...can I help you?

Voice: Oh, uh...yes. This is Officer "Joe" with the Auburn Police Department. Oh man...um...Are you missing a purse by any chance?
Me: (staring at my wallet) I don't think so.
Officer: Well, Miss Rossiter, we have in our possession a purse that had a receipt indicating you daughter had a haircut last week.
Me: (starting to get a little freaked) Ok....
Officer: We believe that items may be missing from your car. You may not even know, yet.
(By this time, Jon and my mom, who is visiting for the weekend, are looking at me like I'm nuts. I mouth that I'm on with the cops. Naturally, they want to know what the police want with my kid. I mean,I know she can be a handful, but a police record at age 4 is a little much...)
Me: Uh....ok.
Officer: You should probably go outside and check. Then, just give me a call back, ok? Here's my number.
I hang up the phone, relay the info to my husband and my mother, who go outside to check.
My ipod: gone Erin's DVD player: gone Jon's CDs/DVDs, My CDs, some of Mom's CDs: gone Glove compartments ransacked, etc.
Son of a bitch....
I grew up in the NYC suburbs, so I've never considered myself some country hayseed who believes that bad shit doesn't happen. But, I guess I am more trusting than I thought because the cars were unlocked. Free Access Everyone!!!
God, what a dumbass I am.
My first reaction was shock. Then, I burst into tears: a combination of anger, fear,regret and, ultimately, violation.
Mom and Jon both said not to blame myself. Even my mom, who works for the friggin' NYS Corrections Dept managed to leave her door unlocked (something she NEVER does).
As of today, almost 40 complaints have been lodged with the APD.
Trying to explain to my 8 year old and my 4 year old why some people are assholes and rip other people off was fun. I think they were more freaked out by my crying than anything else. But, eventually, the reality sunk in.
Even in Maine, a state with a slogan of "Life: the way it should be", trust is a fleeting thing.
Things are replaceable. It's not the end of the world that an ipod or dvd player is gone.
Having to get into my car this morning and knowing that some strange, sick bastard(s) were pawing through my stuff and my kids' stuff is an experience that just shouldn't be.
Was I wrong to leave the car unlocked--yup. I learned my lesson.
It's still wrong that we were violated like that.
Earlier today, there was a knock at my door (which was carefully locked, btw). A local news crew shows up and asks if I'm willing to talk with them. This wasn't how I wanted my 15 minutes of fame. But, if it helps others learn the lesson of trust, but be wary, then I'll stand up in front of 5 cameras.
Among other things, I was asked if this event has changed my thoughts on the neighborhood. I don't recall how I answered exactly, but it was pretty close to this:
"No, it doesn't change my thought on this neighborhood at all. Just society, in general."