Letter to the Editor: Public Option for Crime Prevention

A recent conversation with friends turned to the topic of crime. The consensus of the group was that criminal activity was out of control and rampant in our world. Some felt that a huge deterrent for criminal activity would be swift execution of the criminal sentence. An “Old West” type of vigilante justice. No more allowing death row inmates to sit in prisons for decades waiting for their sentence to be carried out. Not only did some feel that punishment should be immediate but should also be public. The community should be involved. They felt that public acknowledgment of crimes would make an impact that would make potential criminals rethink committing a crime. The knowledge that punishment would be immediate is a far greater deterrent than knowing it could be years before a punishment is given and when given would be prolonged even further. Children are taught at a young age that for every action there is a reaction, if you break the rules there is a punishment. When children witness punishments of their peers does it not help deter them from making the same mistakes? Not always but I believe it has an impact so why wouldn’t the same hold true with witnessing punishment for a crime? If the public witnesses the punishment of a convicted criminal could this not potentially deter someone from committing a crime? Public knowledge of crimes committed can be a deterrent. Media that reports facts apparently makes an impact. Obviously some are ashamed to have such information made public (I don’t think they would protest quite so loudly if they weren’t) Facts are facts and shouldn’t be hidden away behind glitz and glamour. Criminals should not get notoriety but should be acknowledged. The safety of a community depends on how aware it is of what is happening in and around it. We don’t want to live suspecting everyone we meet is a potential threat to our safety. Without adequate information what hope would we have that we wouldn’t become a victim. Hilarie Haack Woodbine, GA