THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 11, 1996 TAG: 9603090011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Regarding ``Higher bails aim to curb Portsmouth's violent crimes,'' MetroNews, Feb. 25): It's about time we start taking a stand against violent crimes and the lowlifes who commit them.
As a victim, I really don't care about the constitutional rights of criminals. Criminals give up their rights of the Eighth Amendment the minute they pull that gun or hold that knife to someone.
What about the constitutional rights of the innocent victims and their families?
When our forefathers wrote the Constitution, they did not know that what they wrote to protect innocent people could be turned inside out to protect those who commit crimes against innocent people.
I applaud the city of Portsmouth, Commonwealth's Attorney Martin Bullock and others who aren't afraid to take a stand against criminals that gets them off the streets.
When we finally do get them off the streets, let's keep them off!
JULIA L. BENTLEY
Virginia Beach, Feb. 25, 1996 by CNB