Re: Grieving town asks: Did the system fail? Feb. 7.
Can anyone seriously doubt that the system failed? Is this even a question? It is not because of one judge's decision. It is the system itself. The system is broken.
The criminally minded need to know that if found guilty of committing crimes against persons, there will be certain and severe punishment. Until they do, we will need to accept that these horrific crimes will continue. The answer is not in locking up our kids and taking away their freedom. They should have freedom to walk their neighborhoods just as the rest of us do. Don't our children deserve this much? Shouldn't they expect this much?
In some Islamic countries, if you are caught stealing, you will lose a hand. Guess what the theft rate is there? It's not because a lot of people don't have hands, it is because the punishment is a certain deterrent.
Judgment needs to be carried out with the full knowledge and support of the government - but we are so concerned about the rights of the criminal and rehabilitation. There are some lines that people choose to cross in this life where no concern for rehabilitation should be pondered.
If this country is by the people and for the people, let us, the people, demand - that's right - demand that there be certain and severe punishments for those who commit crimes against persons, not the least of which is harming a minor.
Start by demanding that the politicians, attorneys, judges and other elected offices are held accountable. Demand that they give more weight to the protection of those who are unable to protect themselves than those now holding office.
It is too late to protect Carlie Brucia. Let's do all we can to protect the other children. It is the least we can do in her memory.
-- Gerald Heckathorne, St. Petersburg
Judge ought to resign
Now the denial, the excuses and the so-called explanations as to why Joseph P. Smith was not in jail on a probation violation.
What did the Probation Department do? It notified the presiding judge that Smith was in violation of probation and action needed to be taken. What did Judge Harry Rapkin do?
He simply signed a court document stating "I need more information." Well judge, the way you obtain more information on a probation violation is to order the offender before you in court, have his probation officer there as well, and address the violation, the circumstances, his prior record and his answers to your questions. You don't simply footnote a document and let it go.
The judge claims he did nothing wrong. I say "nonsense." He did nothing right.
He has been on the bench too long, is far too arrogant, impatient and grumpy to administer justice.
If this case does not point out his failure to provide a fair and just hearing for Smith and then, and only then, determine whether or not a man arrested 13 times should be simply let go, then I have no idea what does.
The problem with judges these days is the are flush with power, and rather than administering the law they rule as though they are dictators.
This judge should resign at once.
-- Rich Unger, Sarasota
Place the blame where it belongs
Those who are holding Judge Harry Rapkin and probation officials of Sarasota responsible for the death of Carlie Brucia should take a moment to realize one important fact. The killer is the one responsible for this young child's death, not the system, not the judge who was doing his job, and not the likely underpaid, overworked probation officer.
The killer made a conscious decision on that fateful Sunday to abduct and murder a beautiful young girl. In a world where so many people are bent on finding fault with our government and our systems, we forget that individuals are responsible and accountable for their decisions, behaviors and actions.
-- Bobbi M. Martin, Largo
Time for harsher punishments
My love and prayers go the the family of Carlie Brucia. The loss of Carlie sent this entire community into action. I was praying that Carlie would come home safe, but this was not meant to be. We saw how caring our officers, school principal and others were at this tragic time.
It makes us realize that immediate steps should be taken to no longer give the criminal so many options. We must remember the victims. They have lost so much and yet these offenders complain about how they are treated. This is a time that we should not allow this to go on for years and needlessly put these families through reliving all the sad events. These criminals must be brought to quick justice and no appeals.
These criminals have no respect for a law-abiding society, so let's stop pampering them and be more harsh in dealing out their punishment. Money should be spent on education, not the reforming of repeated violators of our system.
May God help the Brucia family through these most difficult days.
-- Marlene Bedford, Clearwater
Parents should be constantly vigilant
Re: Grieving town asks: Did the system fail?
Whether or not the judicial system failed, parents need to keep a tighter rein on their children, so that they do not fall vulnerable to would-be abductors. Often times I will see young children either walking or riding their bicycles - alone, instead of in a group or at least in a twosome. Every once in a while, I will see a child sitting alone, in an open car (in a parking lot), waiting for his parent(s) to finish with their shopping. In a split second, these very children could easily become victims, just like Carlie Brucia.
Usually, after such a tragedy, there is much publicity and parents become more vigilant about their children's whereabouts. Unfortunately, after much of the hoopla has died down, people tend to slip back into their old patterns - until the next tragedy occurs. Because of today's sick society, there is a growing need for parents to keep their guard up 24 hours a day. You never know who is waiting around the corner.
Even though the story of this 11-year-old girl has ended tragically, we must all remain to be alert, in order to keep it from happening again. My deepest condolences to Carlie's family.
-- JoAnn Lee Frank, Clearwater
Chemical castration is called for
Once more a child has been forced to endure the brutality and loss of life by a man who has lost control of his sexual senses. None of us want to contemplate the horror this child went through before she died. There is a way to at least bring this kind of abuse to a minimum, and that is through castration.
Castration is considered to be too severe and inhumane a punishment, but the horrors that women and children are made to go through are far more so.
Chemical castration is an ideal punishment for sex offenders. Detailed information about this medical procedure can be found on the Web under chemical castration. It is a law in California that all two-time sex offenders are made to accept this punishment and take therapy. The procedure is reversible. The crime is not.
I wish all who read this would investigate this form of punishment and present their feelings and suggestions to our state Legislature - or to our federal legislators in Congress. It is time for mothers, fathers, organizations and students, to act so that our streets and homes are safe from this devastating kind of crime.
-- Esther Bennett, Sun City Center
Keep children safe and let them thrive
I, like many others, spontaneously cried when I heard of the murder of 11-year-old Carlie Brucia. I mourn for her family, friends and the city of Sarasota. But mostly, I mourn for the lost opportunities which this crime will result in for young people throughout the world.
I am part of a network that supports and encourages the promise of young people. Let me tell you of a young German girl who has tirelessly worked to reduce the number of AIDS-infected babies in South Africa, and the Pinellas County girl who videotapes the last moments of a dying family member's life so a permanent record of these messages of love and hope will live forever. And let me tell you about the boy who has built an Internet youth-service network spanning 140 countries so kids can share their passions with one another. And have you heard of Mana-TEENS in Bradenton, which has thousands of young members dedicated to community service?
All of these kids spoke to strangers. All of these kids took a chance. All of these kids heard their calling and followed their hearts.
I encourage all of us to stop and think of what we say to the children in our lives about Carlie. Let us talk about what a wonderful person she was, how she had ups and downs like all of us. Let us emphasize to them that abduction of this sort is rare, but it is also random and we never know when it will happen.
Let us encourage our children to create bonds with each other and with other adults. Let us help guide them toward decisions that keep them safe, while giving us piece of mind. Let us avoid cautioning them into isolation; give us strength by not allowing our fears to overcome our ability to think rationally.
It is through creating a community where we know each other, talk with each other and pass the baton of protection over our children that we create a safe place for kids. We must continue to encourage young people to reach out, talk with one another and follow their hearts.
As adults, we need to watch all children as they walk alone on the street as if they were our own. We need to move toward creating a safe place where we can interrupt an unusual situation and inquire as to the well-being of the child.
In the case of Carlie, it could have been a stranger who could have saved her life.
-- Sherry Sacino, president, Youth Empowerment Alliance, Inc., St. Petersburg
Check for sex offenders
Re: Carlie Brucia.
Why? I hope the judge who released the person who is suspected of murdering Carlie has many sleepless nights with visions of the brutal act burned in his mind.
There are so many sexual predators who are released back into our communities. I just checked the Web site for sex offenders in my area and found that most of them involved an offense with a minor.
Go to www.fdle.state.fl.us and under "I want to" select "search sexual predators" and you can find a list of the ones living in your area.
The status of each is listed as either released or supervised. Now, why are these deviants released back into society? Supervision will not keep the person from committing the same act again.
-- Mrs. Jo Ann Merritt, Seminole
Use video as a teaching tool
The incredible visual recordings of the abduction of Carlie Brucia ought to become a tribute to her.
Use this film to create lesson plans for defensive behavior, methods of wrist-hold release and so on.
I leave it to the professionals to create lesson plans using this film to teach all that quick and positive action is needed.
-- Anthony DelNunzio, Largo
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