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Citizen Involvement is a Huge Factor in Deterring Neighborhood Crime

Serial Killer Anthony Sowell Free To Kill With Impunity

I have several comments regarding this horrific finding.

1. For the past several decades it has been widely reported that blacks don't want to talk to police for a lot of different reasons, not all of which are wrong. However, the point remains it is their responsibility to "police" their neighborhoods, just as everyone else should, black, white, etc. From what I've read so far, there has been a stench in the area for over a week; shouldn't that have caused some sort of alarm? Citizen involvement is a huge factor in deterring neighborhood crime. If the neighborhood supported "itself" would there be drug dealers hanging out on their street corners? Nope. I'm white, but live in a predominantly black area because of lack of income, not through preference, BUT I pay attention to what goes on and have talked when all of my neighbors when I see something that might cause them harm, just as they do me.

2. It seems too easy to point the finger at authorities who "should've been doing more to monitor this fellow" when there aren't enough officers to take care of every day crimes much less follow up on these people. Frankly, I fault our court system and the thousands of early releases each year, turning people out of cells because of our overcrowding. What about the woman this idiot raped in 1999? What has her life been like sense he raped her? Did she recover? Not likely. WHY should he be on the streets?

3. Until the time comes when black, as well as Hispanic neighborhoods take an active part in protecting their sphere of living this is only going to get worse. As much as it grieves me to say it, it is clear to me that the crimes that generally get the most publicity AND police activity involve white folks. That is an indictment of the "system", history, and what blacks tend to allow to happen.

Thanks for your time,

Rich Wright
Durham, NC