Everyone has their ideas about how to get a grip on crime in Dover.
I was talking with a group of young men one day. All had had some kind of run-in with the law. Most had been to prison. I asked them to answer a question for me. I said, “Pretend I’m the judge you’re facing, and I say to you, ‘Mr. Smith, if you appear before me again, you will be sent to prison in Smyrna.’” They all laughed and said, “No big deal. I got a cousin, a brother, there now. We’ll just meet up.” I said, “OK. I’m the same judge, but this time, I say, ‘Mr. Smith, if you appear before me again, you will be sent to prison in New Jersey because we have a prisoner exchange program now.’” They all said, “Whoa, whoa. That’s different. I’d definitely think twice about doing something stupid then!”
Can we do something like this? Probably not. I’m sure the American Civil Liberties Union would challenge this idea. But maybe we can. My point is, we have to start thinking outside of the box. I’m sure there are some great minds in our government that can come up with some ideas.
Stan Sipple
Felton
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
