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Stiffer sentence vs thieves
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Posted on Sep 11 2008
While it disgust me to see the never-ending reports on home break-ins and other thefts, the recent theft of Ms. Marchitti’s guitar and jewelry, which had much sentimental value to her, is really sickening. A parent, sibling, spouse, or friend has certainly seen these items in the possession of the thief. Does not one of them have the decency to report it to the police, or at the very least force this idiot to return the items? I think I know the answer to that.
It is time for the Legislature to pass a very stiff mandatory sentencing law for stealing. Not three strikes and you’re out, but one strike and you’re out. A first conviction for stealing should require a mandatory jail term, perhaps a period as short as three months. This would hopefully get the attention of the younger thieves, and maybe they might consider another career. A second conviction should result in a minimum one-year incarceration. For three convictions, at least five years. Anyone convicted of four or more theft cases should be considered a habitual criminal and locked up for at least 10 years.
Of course this would be expensive, but what are the costs that DPS and the court system have to bear now in order to deal with this problem? Please Legislature, someone do something.
[B]Herminia Matsumo Fusco[/B] [I]Capital Hill, Saipan[/I]
