Pubdate: Sat, 29 Jun 2002 Source: Herald-Sun, The (Durham, NC) Copyright: 2002 The Herald-Sun Contact: http://www.herald-sun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1428 Author: Clifton Patrick Jones GET A GRIP ON CRIME What will it take to arouse the citizens of Durham? Murders, shootings, assaults and robberies seem unending in what used to be a safe and pleasant place. An 89-year-old lady is brutally and savagely murdered. A young man, Don Barua, is deliberately shot by a young criminal. It seems endless. We must rid our city and county of gangs and habitual criminals. The drug business is responsible for most of our crime. When will our judges and other public "leaders" get serious? Our city and county leaders coast along in their ivory towers as if all is well as they increase taxes and waste our money on needless studies, proposed projects and totally stupid proposals such as domestic partner benefits (thank God this was defeated), etc. It is too bad Dan Patel is not allowed to be a candidate for County Commissioners. We need new and honest faces in the courthouse. We are fortunate that John Best Jr. is on the City Council. A hearty salute to this young leader. We need more such folks. As for murderers, we need swift and certain justice. The death penalty should be retained and used when the evidence is clear, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a person is a murderer. Youth, poverty and ethnic background cannot be excuses for criminal activity. CLIFTON PATRICK JONES Durham June 29, 2002 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom