THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9506290255
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 49 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
EDITOR'S NOTE: On June 11, North Carolina Editor Ronald L. Speer solicited suggestions on how to stem crime on the Outer Banks. Here's how a few folks responded. `Happens all the time'
On June 3, our home in Kill Devil Hills was broken into at about 4 a.m. A young man kicked down two doors to get into the house. The noise awoke neighbors, who called the police. The police found the culprit asleep in a locked bedroom in the back of the house. He was arrested; charged with breaking and entering, destroying property and resisting an officer; and taken to jail.
My understanding is that the suspect in our break-in had committed this same crime two or three weeks earlier at another home in the area. And who knows, maybe more times also.
To make the area safer, it seems to me that when a person has committed such a crime, that he should get some kind of punishment such as time in jail, plus be required to pay for all demages.
If he is not given a severe punishment, then why would he not do this again? It's up to our judges . . . the police can only arrest. We were told, ``It happens all the time.'' What does that say to the victim and to the culprit?
The suspect's trial date has been set for July, and we intend to be present during this hearing and sentencing. Hopefully, our presence will help convince the judge to give him a severe punishment so he will not think of committing this or any other crime again.
Virginia M. Cochran
Chesapeake, Va. Always be aware
I share the editor's concerns about the appearance of violence in this community, which we visit for four weeks each summer.
We love coming here to relax and get recharged, in the past always feeling secure and safe on ``The Banks.''
Unfortunately, rapid communication and the shrinking world seem to be conducive to the kind of behavior addressed in his June 11 column.
I would say, traveling alone on the beach or walking anywhere requires an acute awareness of who is around and what is going on at all times.
Just as in the cities, it is necessary for communities to band together and let people know what is acceptable and what will not be tolerated. It's a difficult job. It takes precious time - presence of people of the community on the street is necessary. Nonviolence is the key - certainly knowledge and ability in the martial arts a plus.
The slightest, smallest of people can render a big bully helpless. This, of course, is for the young.
With the elderly, it is not as simple. Here is an opportunity for service in the community on the part of those younger. Befriending and being ``around'' some can be a deterrent to violence to the elderly.
Certainly, there are no simple solutions. You have probably already been acquainted with my suggestions. The police cannot do it alone. We all must be involved, and that includes those of us who enjoy this lovely place as a home away from home. We, too, need to be vigilant and report any unusual behavior or activity.
The Disney movie ``The Lion King'' clearly stated that each of us must assume our responsibility and fight both evil and apathy in order to prevent the destruction of our environment and our quality of life.
Fear is debilitating and paralyzing, so it is important to take the offensive.
Jacquelin S. Jones
Alexandria, Va. A new era of crime
Please be advised that crime is jeopardizing every village, town, city, and state of America. It is not just one aspect of these entities; it is every aspect within these entities: the schools, businessesses, some churches, homes, parks, streets, malls, and even jails themselves!
Americans will never again have the satisfaction of feeling safe and secure wihin any of the aforementioned entities. We have entered a new era for all of America - one of accepted crime and damage to all of our citizens.
The reason I believe the above comment is that there is no respect for law and order within the young people of today.
Our legal system is a travesty, a joke, a system which is so political and completely broken that one only has to observe the disgusting events of the Simpson trial or the Mendenez trial or many others. Punishment is never complete. Appeals go on forever, sentences are reduced to minimums or less, no one is ever punished as sentenced.
Young people are encouraged to a life of crime; ``Do the crime, do the time'' only provides wonderful medical treatment, athletic equipment, clean clothes, food, entertainment and the ability to learn from hardened criminals how to do it better next time and not get caught.
I, too, am upset about the crime in America, but I am also adult and intelligent enough to realize that crime in America is here to stay and will only become larger and larger. We do not have the moral intensity or fortitude to do anything about it. Get used to it; lock your doors, windows, cars, obtain a weapon and become a prisoner of your own home.
That is what the country is going to become: The good guys lock ourselves in our homes while the bad guys roam the streets at will.
Wilton McIntire
Chesapeake, Va. by CNB