This was news to nobody. How many victims of crime do you know? I know many. In my Charlotte neighborhood, we've even contracted with off-duty law enforcement officers to conduct nightly patrols. Per crimeincharlotte.com, Dilworth Residents Help Police Apprehend Burglar. Opps, UPDATE: Ernest Hill is back on the streets of Charlotte! A predictable tale of empowered residents working with the police on crime.... to no avail.
Then I see in the Observer, Police: Homeowner shoots, kills burglar: The district attorney's office will determine whether to file charges after reviewing evidence . Of the homeowner, neighbor Snow says " I just hope they don't charge him,” Snow said. “I'm sure it's something he wouldn't have done unless he felt it was necessary." (My emphasis in bold). How's that for punishing a perennial felon? Now, we're talking!
Charlotte's new police chief admirably vows to work harder on his end of this two-pronged crime issue by aiming for higher police visibility and increased community networking. Now our law and government officials just need to figure out what to do with the criminals when they get them (other than just release them).
Now I'd never advocate that homeowners should "assist" in law enforcement by shooting and killing intruders, i.e. taking the law into their own hands. But really, the district attorney needs to do more than just review filing charges on this burglered homeowner. With Charlotte's larger problem of higher crime rates by repeat felons, he should hear a screaming need to review the laws and punishments for repeat criminals.
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