Dear editor: Protect community from criminals

Dear editor:

I've never written a letter before, but I've been thinking of some ideas to share and hopefully won't come across as being on a rant. I don't know a lot of the laws, and certainly don't understand many of them.

I've been reading in The Sentinel-Record and a couple of online posts I follow about the increasing amount of crime/violence occurring in our area. So my first idea/rant?/comment is directed toward the Hot Springs police, the Garland County sheriff and our state police.

Almost everyone the police catch in the midst of a crime has at least one, and sometimes several, warrants on them. Hey, instead of waiting til you "accidentally" come across these people, why don't you actively go out and pick up these people? Does having a warrant mean they need arrested? And you know what -- I bet most of them can be found at the address you have on them. If not, check over at their mama's or at baby mama's or ask three or four people. I think one of them will tell you where they are. This should cut down greatly on this rising crime. Come on Flory, Sanders (and soon-to-be new sheriff)? I don't give one care about your PR pics in the paper! I want you to do your job -- protect and serve!

Next are the judges in our city. Quit slapping Johnnie (or Judy) on the wrist and say "now don't you do that again" and send them right back out to victimize us all over and over! They've broken the law and need to rightfully be sentenced for it? Sentence them and follow through with their punishment. I can't believe it when someone has five, 10, 20 felonies and are still out breaking laws til they are "accidentally" standing in front of you! If anyone doubts this, go sit in court for a day -- it's unbelievable how soft the judges are on criminals. How many of you have been a victim -- whether from a theft, car accident, criminal mischief, etc., and the judge orders them to pay restitution and you've never received one single dime? And nothing has ever happened to them -- "Can't suck blood out of a turnip." Check them out on Facebook and they're bragging about their brand new iPhone, car, shoes or fun party last night and fun one they're going to tonight. Let them sit in jail a few days and I bet they figure some way to pay?

Probation and parole officers -- if they aren't following the terms of their sentence, go out and get them! Don't sit there waiting for them to "accidentally" get caught!

Arkansas prisons -- quit letting criminals out! Keep them!

If we'd all together demand these "ideas," maybe they won't be smacking on your daughter/sister/friend, breaking into your house, stealing everything you've worked for, cooking up a batch of dope across the road from where you live, etc.

Barbara Jones

Hot Springs

Editorial on 08/27/2014

Upcoming Events