They are supposed to give to the needy. The problem is the needy seem to be taking from them.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store on Broad Street, which is currently being remodeled, has encountered criminal activity on an almost daily basis in recent weeks, said Capt. Todd Brewer, a corps officer with the local Salvation Army office.

Brewer said that many nights, workers who have been remodeling the building have spotted &uot;would be suspects,&uot; who were possibly trying to steal something.

On Thursday morning, however, Brewer said he knew his store had been robbed the previous night.

A window at the back of the building was broken, and there were bloodstains on the inside of the building.

The thieves, said Brewer, stole a saw and a drill worth, altogether, $150.

Brewer, however, said that this year alone would not account for all the crime that took place at the store.

Over a three-year period, Brewer said criminal activity has amounted to more than $60,000 in both damage to the store and in items being stolen.

Brewer said he sympathized with police, but he also felt that they could do some other things to prevent crime in the area.

Brewer added that businesses in the area, including the Salvation Army, could also do more to protect themselves.