110833841
To the Editor:
I have always associated innocence with children, pure of heart and mind. However, it does not seem to be the case in these recent times. In fact, it is very upsetting that so many crimes are involving minors. Not only shootings in schools, but brutal acts committed by individuals under the age of 18. When you see a group of teens walking down the street, you sometimes have to worry that they are going to cause harm or try to assault you in some way. Another concern for many parents is the fact that they have to worry every time their children walk out the door. If they have a cell phone, headset or maybe an expensive pair of sneakers, they run the risk of being attacked or possibly killed.
It has become such a rising epidemic, and it is so sad to see the decline of a new generation; enough to make you want to analyze what is causing such hatred and rage. These are the acts of a sociopath. Is it genetic, environmental or a learned behavior? It does not matter what generation we have grown up in, we all have to admit that we now live in a world we do not recognize. What we are experiencing today is outrageous and totally unacceptable! We could go on a rant about the horrors of the latest crimes or post events and make suggestions on what we could do to protect ourselves. In theory, these are logical, civilized solutions, [but]they do not seem to be working. I say, “Why not be a little less civilized. Why are we treating monsters as if they are human beings?”
I think severe punishment is required, with not so much focus on giving them a fair trial. They are caught red handed, on surveillance cameras wearing hooded jackets committing horrific crimes. Still, they are given every opportunity to be exonerated. If someone is caught in the act of assaulting someone and there is overwhelming proof, why not guilty until proven innocent? It seems that we are making futile attempts to fix what seems to have become unfixable. The only solution may be capital punishment. If you kill someone in cold blood, you will suffer the same fate. If you kill, you will be killed! Not to be on death row for 30 years and no pardons from the governor.
Set severe examples so that just maybe it will make these criminals know that there is a justice system to be reckoned with! I know that everyone is infuriated and disgusted at the fact that we have to live in constant fear. We are advised not to carry handbags because so many women have been attacked and, in some cases, killed for them. We could all say these crimes are appalling and devastating, but the hard, cold fact remains that there is no possible way to turn things around unless we get radical. If what we have witnessed recently is the hope of our future, unfortunately our future does not look very hopeful.
Debbie Russino
South Philadelphia
Send a letter to the South Philly Review at editor@southphillyreview.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification purposes.
110833841
110833851
