Pubdate: Tue, 23 Mar 2004
Source: Williams Lake Tribune, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Williams Lake Tribune
Contact:  http://www.wltribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1226
Author: Mike Orr

SAFETY

Editor:

Home invasions a most awful trend now sweeping across Canada. Most home 
invasions are for the ripping off of pot growers but other criminals now 
see it as a way to get cash and other goods. Two elderly women recently got 
invaded, this is a rash that is spreading and needs our judges to curb its 
growth now not later.

Severe punishments are needed because of the traumatic experience people 
suffer as victims of this crime. Judges you have to start making sentences 
based on the value of the community rather than the out dated law books, 
society is changing laws and sentencing must reflect this value.

Crimes against persons need stiffer penalties, like drunk drivers getting 
two years or longer for causing death. If you ask the victims family if six 
months the norm for causing death while impaired driving is enough they 
would all say "no." More in sentencing is needed to reflect the anger of 
the victims and their families. Of course with the morons in Victoria 
cutting funding to prisons and courts and the very things needed to make 
communities safer, our hands are tied, but you do have the opportunity to 
unite and all sign a petition condemning the actions of the government for 
putting public safety on the back burner.

Mike Orr

Riske Creek