Kick Them Out!

Last month we had a man shot and killed during a robbery in Port Arthur. The twist on this crime is that it was the criminal who ended up dead. He wasn't the only one with a gun. He picked a store where the clerks have had enough of making themselves a target. I agree that robbery is not a crime worthy of the death penalty. But if you expect me to shed a tear for an armed bandit who got blown away while committing a crime... well, that isn't going to happen. When police did their investigation they found that this man had robbed this particular store more than once. He even served prison time for one of the robberies at this same location.

It's no secret that Port Arthur has more than its share of violent crime. The 3-strikes and your out punishment mode has helped get some repeat offenders off the street, but it is far far from a solution. I wonder we could take the idea a little further.

What change would we see in the crime rate if the state passed mandatory expulsion from the city for all persons convicted of a violent crime? Lets dramatically increase the prison stay for violent crimes, but offer the offender parole after several years with the restriction that he or she must live outside of the city limits. If the bozo who can't get armed robbery out of his or her mind is taken away from the tempting targets, he or she will have less opportunity to put others at risk. If you're worried about paying for prison overcrowding then lose the misguided idea that it's cruel and unusual punishment to make a prisoner pay for his room and food. Put the bums to work.

Most crime is committed by repeat offenders. Most cities have areas like the Carver “Terrorist” Apartments that are known as criminal havens. Find a way to break 'em up! You can't have a gang if the gang's all gone!