To the editor: I am a registered Democrat who is all for progress in society. However, I do not consider the lack of sufficient consequences for criminal behavior to be progress. People who commit crimes should pay a price for their misdeeds. (“California legislature passes bills to curb retail theft despite objections from some Democrats,” August 12)
People who are tempted to behave badly must believe that there is:
- There is a high chance of being caught in the act.
- There is a high probability that your action will not generate enough reward to justify the risk.
- Certainty that the punishment will be harsh.
I have no patience for vandals, thieves or any other criminals, whether their crimes are “violent” or not. Every crime is an act committed against all law-abiding members of society. When crime is not prevented or the perpetrator is not caught and punished, we all suffer and criminal behavior is encouraged.
We should all welcome laws that ensure criminals are punished appropriately. Therefore, the state bills recently passed by the Legislature to address retail theft and other crimes can only be beneficial to our civilization.
Finally, I don't care what race the criminal is. If his behavior leads to jail, so be it.
Mark Driskill, Long Beach
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To the editor: Assemblywoman Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) said, “Too often, criminalization falls on the backs of Black and Latino Californians.” Her article says members of the Legislative Black Caucus do not want to see more people sent to prison.
If someone commits a crime, no matter who it is, they should go to prison. If a person doesn't commit a crime, they usually don't go to prison. So just don't commit crimes.
Dafni Black, Culver City
