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