As someone whose home has been burglarized, I know the frustration of talking to the police only to be told both in word and attitude that I needn’t expect to get anything back and that I should know better than to live in this area and so I deserve it. The psychology behind this attitude is, itself, worthy of analysis and discussion, but that is not my purpose here. The police are supposed to be able to solve crimes; when they can’t, we are frustrated. But what about the times that they do succeed and then the victim refuses to press charges because he has made a deal with the burglars to get back his stolen property or witnesses refuse to come forward to testify? The next burglary is encouraged by this kind of action. As neighbors we owe it to each other and to the community to follow through. Potential burglars will not be deterred from crime by compromising, indulgent victims and silent witnesses.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_12.pdf, printed page(s) 2.
