Newspaper Size Change Sadlysocietyaccepts thisactivity

Editor:

Unfortunately the attitudes expressed by Ms. Abbott (Community Comment, Optimist, March 23) is the way society looks at theft today, and that is the first step in a long journey downhill for honest citizens

The two teenagers stealing cupcakes at Thrifty’s was not done because they were poor, hungry or disenfranchised, it was done because they were allowed to do it, because there are no consequences and if there was, Dad’s lawyer would get them off

The grown man who stole a steak at another food store, was he hungry? Why didn’t he steal some baloney and a Kraft dinner? Why didn’t he go to the food bank? If he was a veteran down on his luck why didn’t he go to the Legion and see what they would do for him? No he just decided to steal a steak because he was allowed to do it, and knew there would be no consequences.

In both these cases the cost of food goes up for you and me because society now accepts this activity, as long as honest people are there to pay for all damage done by the thieves

My law would be shoplifters witnessed by two people would be charged outside of our over complicated justice system, and be forced to sweep or shovel the sidewalks in town in a pink jumpsuit with writing on the back in big black letters: I am a shoplifter, a common criminal.”

Can we at least have public shaming?

Greg Hoover