Imperfect Justice, Part 2 – At Large

Prison cell, US Penitentiary, Fort Leavenworth, KS, Source http://www.miamiherald.com/graphics/rich_media/1027903.html (Public Domain as a work of the US federal government)

The American system of justice is the foremost in the world. We pour enormous resources into federal, state, and local investigative and law enforcement agencies, and the associated court structures. Even our system of justice, however, has its shortcomings.

In recent years, terrorism has increased the challenges exponentially. As resources are stretched to their limits, both wise and unwise decisions are being made in the effort to respond. This is an instance of the latter.

USA Today confirms that law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the nation have unilaterally decided not to pursue well over 300,000 fugitives out of state [1]. That bears repeating.

State and local police and District Attorneys have abandoned many outstanding warrants, notifying the FBI that they will no longer be seeking extradition of hundreds of thousands of accused felons. This represents a 77% increase in an 18 month period.

Once these fugitives – accused rapists, murderers, and child molesters among them – have crossed a state border they will now, for all practical purposes, be home free.

Apparently, smaller law enforcement agencies do not feel they have the time or money it would take to pursue and prosecute these individuals, not even the repeat offenders, at large in a nearby state.

Clearly, victims and potential victims are being placed at great risk.  For better or worse, some will undoubtedly arm themselves.  Not all are willing or able to do this which is why police departments were instituted, in the first place.

“ ‘Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves’ ” (Matt. 10: 16).

Father, we see the impact of crime and terrorism in the world.  Watch over our nation, and give our public servants wisdom. Keep our democracy intact, despite the pressures that would rend it asunder.

Make us shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.  And keep our loved ones safe, for we know that all safety rests ultimately with You.

We ask this in Jesus’ Name.

Amen

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[1] USA Today/Weekend, “Unwanted wanted: Police stop pursuing 79,000 felons” by Brad Heath, 12/19-12/21/14.

Imperfect Justice, Part 1 – At Risk appeared on 4/19/15.

READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse  https://avoicereclaimed.com