THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, March 11, 1996 TAG: 9603090024
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A9 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 34 lines
Enough is enough! Is there anyone out there who still doesn't realize that violent crime is out of control? When a family can no longer go shopping on a Saturday afternoon without wearing bullet-proof vests, something is way out of control.
Sammy J. Gary should have been put away for a long time the first time he was arrested. I guess some will say Gary is just as much a victim as the people he recently brutally killed, a victim of society. Baloney! He was a punk who got away with anything he could. Let's feel sorry for him because his father killed his mother then turned the gun on himself and left Gary an orphan? Not a chance. My sympathy goes to the Bernard and Lim families.
What's the fix?
First, a tougher judicial system, one that would take care of Gary the first time he was in the halls of justice.
Second, more law enforcement. Get rid of some of the welfare programs (which I wouldn't be surprised to find out Gary was a product of) and put more cops on the streets.
Third, make jail and prison bad, very bad.
Prison should not be a country club or a retreat from the mean streets. Prison should be a place where no one wants to go ever.
L. V. SCOTTI
Virginia Beach, Feb. 27, 1996 by CNB