Time to Crack Down

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Time to Crack Down
by Dave Gibson, Columnist

June 27, 2003

Dave Gibson This nation's cities and towns must follow the example set by New York City and that city's former 'law and order' mayor: Rudolph Guiliani. It is now time to clean up our dirty, loud, and dangerous streets. Guiliani cracked down on the so called 'quality of life' crimes and the effect this action had not only on minor crimes, but as well as serious , violent offenses was nothing less short of dramatic.

Though being harassed for money or being subjected to the sight of some dirt bag relieving himself may be minor infractions, these unlawful activities help to degrade our over-all quality of life. Cleaning up our streets and holding people to a higher standard helps raise property values, makes downtown shopping districts more inviting, and has been proven to curtail serious crime.

Who amongst us has not run the gauntlet of the bum infested convenience store parking lots, only to be verbally assaulted after refusing their requests for 'spare change'? How many times have you shaken your head in disgust after witnessing a car-full of fat slobs depositing their empty fast-food containers as they drive down the road...oblivious to the mess which someone else must clean up?

Who hasn't sat at a stoplight and then had the misfortune of being 'sonically assaulted' by a "Ghetto Blaster" in the next car? These (WMEDD) weapons of mass ear drum destruction, send out their thumps and bumps and obscene lyrics to everyone capable of hearing with a 5 mile radius. I for one have no interests in the sexual exploits of Snoop Dawg,,, or any other 'gangsta rapper' for that matter. The screeching of obscenities in our street is offensive, it takes away from the enjoyment we may share with our families. Who wants to assemble the whole group for a backyard barbecue, only to endure the thumps and bumps from the speaker systems on wheels, as they spew their filthy lyrics.

Here in Norfolk, we could very easily follow the lead by the Norfolk Naval Base. No loud music, no public nudity, no littering, no raucous behavior of any kind...or you will go to jail and pay a hefty fine. Guess what....the Norfolk Naval Base is a very clean, safe, quiet community filled with lovely little homes for Navy personnel. However, when you leave this bastion of civility and head out onto Hampton Blvd., (back into town), you hear the not-so-distant drums of restless natives perched in their oversized SUVs. Rest assured, as you leave the safe-haven of the military base, you will be subject yet again to the never-ending request for 'spare change', as well as the rather public bathroom habits of some of the city's residents who happen to be 'plumbing challenged'.

What an ugly disgrace, that our own Capital (Washington D.C.) became so unsafe a few years ago - that the mayor asked for federal troops to be called in to police the streets. In San Francisco, trucks come by nightly and spray the sidewalks and streets down with bleach in an attempt to disinfect places where so many 'homeless' people defecate and urinate. Streets where piles of condoms and needles are washed away nightly as that city's homosexual and drug-addicted population practice their ways right out in the open! Years of liberal leadership in these cities have brought about this now, this unspeakable fifth.

We are all sick and tired of this 'growth industry' of fifth and total disregard for their fellow neighbors which is being fostered in the United States, it must now be stopped. As this movement occurs, the usual suspects will present themselves as they often do: Jesse Jackson may come out and accuse the white people of racism because we wish to improve our neighborhoods. To Jesse: Spend a few nights in a working class area, go to the grocery store, perhaps take a midnight stroll (I suggest a warm summer night in Detroit). I believe he would change his mind rather fast.

Laws are in place in every corner of this country against such crimes as: loitering, pan handling, urinating in public,etc... we need to send a message to our mayors and city councils: ENFORCE THE LAW! ***

Photo of Dave Gibson courtesy of staff files