Alternative Sentencing

[AllanY2525]

Jay,

Although you may be right on this issue, I think that some "first time" offenders
convicted of NON-violent crimes (ie: shoplifting and other stupid stunts that
young offenders are prone to) should be sentenced to community service
in the form of cleaning up blighted areas of the city.

This service should include, but not be limited to:

1) Cutting down tall weeds and grass on vacant home lots

2) Removing trash and debris on these lots.

3) Boarding up and securing vacant homes and buildings to
prevent scavenging and render them harmless to small children
living in or playing in the area around them.

4) The planting of wildflower gardens (the only cost involved
here would be a couple of dollars for a few packets of flower
seeds!!) on some of the vacant lots, thereby transforming
them into objects of natural beauty - which immediately
improves the neighborhood around them and helps to
increase property values, etc.

Comments?

[jay]

It is said that criminals are being released in our city because the Mahoning County jail is at capacity most days.  Is it time for new forms of sentencing?

The inmate landscape crews are a good start but I bet some criminals would rather wait their turn to sit in jail than to do any work.