Smash and grab robberies, fleeing and eluding police, possession of narcotics, and stolen guns.

            No. I'm not talking about the wave of smash-and-grab crimes currently plaguing upscale stores in major US cities, where mobs of thieves making off with expensive goods in brazen raids; the arrests of dozens following dangerous pursuits by police in the midwest; the rash of stolen guns in southern states; or the number of people arrested for possession of narcotics in dozens of U.S.

            Specifically, we've had our share of all of above incidents within a 50-mile radius of our newspaper's office.  The scale of the incidents dwarfs that committed in the big cities, but just one miss-step in one incident and innocent bystanders could be hurt … or worse.

            Regarding the increasing number of smash and grab robberies spreading throughout our nation, it seems like there is just no political will to prosecute the people in our current climate. Why should a police officer waste time getting into an altercation when the person is not going to jail because it's overcrowded and a prosecutor is not going to prosecute that case because it's not high on the priority list?

            Stop blaming the increase in crime on the Pandemic.  We need more prosecution and backing of law enforcement.

            The "woke" people warn us that there is no need for us to impose harm on someone just because they are stealing.  After all, it's just a material item that can be replaced. 

            But, smash and grab robberies can endanger the innocent.  How does anyone know if that incident will become violent at the hands of the perpetrators?  Are they carrying weapons?  Am I in danger?  What could happen that could trigger them to start a shooting incident?  Do I have more than a few seconds to react?  Will I be a victim if I try to run and call for help?

            Sadly, in today's explosive and divisive society most of us are forced to make some of those decisions before we leave our homes.

            If you are confronted by an armed robber, and you were armed, would you defend yourself?  The "woke" will tell you that you shouldn't have defended yourself, after all the robber just wanted your wallet.  If you would have given it to him, everybody would have gone home alive.

            How do you know that?  Are you willing to bet your life on it?

            As we learn more and more about the explosion of crime in our country, how can anyone be sure?

            More questions are raised than answers.

            We shouldn't have to live like this.