by Tammy Decker

Created on: June 30, 2008

Consequences Of Stealing? Are there any, really? I am from a small area in Southern Illinois and I don't see consequences for much of anything here. I think the crime rate is worse here than anywhere else. I have heard of teenagers breaking in homes taking what they want, then setting the home on fire, they pick them up take them to jail and they are back on the streets in an hour, only to hear they have done it again.

I have seen and heard of drugs being used, bought, and sold and the police departments know and watch. I have even heard them make comments, such as "what can we do?" Are you kidding? Some of this I know first hand. I won't mention any names, but someone related to me has been caught selling and using drugs, shoplifting, destruction of property, threats to police officers, violation of probation, drug paraphernalia and all or most happened more than once. And he still hasn't been picked up on the violation order and yes all the other charges have been dropped. What?

Considering I am a Criminal Justice Major, it's a little disappointing that the criminals have more rights than the ones that go to work everyday and pay taxes. The police worry about giving me a ticket for no seatbelt as I am pulling away from a ATM and say, "it will save your life" but don't think twice about letting a criminal lose that might break in my home, and I could walk in in the middle of the robbery and he could rape and kill me. I guess then my life becomes unimportant, because the criminal has rights. The right to steal everything I worked for, the right to violate and possibly kill me, yeah that's justice, and they are worried about me wearing a seatbelt.

So to answer the question, No there are no consequences for stealing or anything else. The only consequences are for the innocent, we have to buy cameras, alarms and some of us buy guns to protect ourselves, the ones we love, and the things we have worked hard for. It's sad when we have to lock ourselves up, so the criminals can have freedom. Sounds a little backwards to me, but that it just my opinion.

I am sorry to say, I think it's only going to get worse. As the next generation gets older and they know that they can do things over and over, with little or no consequences. What kind of society do you think it will be then folks? Think about it and try to sleep at night. I can't. I don't mean to frighten anyone, just trying to make see changes need to be made and quick.

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