Increase in crime and decrease in punishment? Not sensible!

Fri Nov 8, 2013

Editor: “Family court secretary shot multiple times…children witness horror of mother’s death…teenager stabbed to death…” In addition to the assaults, robberies, burglaries and thefts, the above-mentioned are some of the headlines we see in our weekly newspapers and hear on nightly TV news. Just last week, it was reported in the NEWS newspaper that Justice Frederick Bruce-Lyle said that he feared for this society. He was commenting on the lawlessness and criminal acts that are taking place in the land. We seem to live in a society where criminals think they rule. They destroy, rob, threaten and even kill with such boldness and callousness that it’s unbelievable!{{more}}

However, at a time when crime seems to be getting out of hand, not only here at home, but in the region, we hear about human rights organisations celebrating the abolition of the death penalty. They are also continuing calls for its abolition in countries around the world. “Focus on lives, not death”, they say. Well, I say focus on taking the life of the criminal, once he/she is proven guilty beyond a shadow of doubt. Take his life as punishment for the life he has taken. “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man”(Gen. 9:6). Let this be done so that “those which remain shall hear and FEAR and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.” Deut. 19: 11-21.

We cannot continue to have a decrease in punishment when there is an increase in crime. It is just not sensible!

Ann-Marie Ballantyne

svgpatriot@hotmail.com