CHAIN GANGS MIGHT DETER DRUG, PETTY CRIMES

I think the best way to take a bite out of crime is for the Legislature to take
off the gloves, get off their butts and enact some get-tough legislation
requiring first-time drug offenders and petty criminals to do at least a week
on a chain gang ("Cool Hand Luke" style in the 1970s movie).

Then upright citizens and all the chain gangers' friends will get to see and
take careful note of the convicts' mugs while they are working hard in the sun.
At the same time the civilized idea will be driven home that crime does not
pay. Second-time offenders and anytime drug pushers could be required to do a
mandatory minimum of five years on the chain gang.

The cost of implementation would be minimal. They could live in surplus Army
tents surrounded by a razor wire fence just as they do in Phoenix's Maricopa
County under Sheriff Arpaio.

If Judge Joel August could be somehow miraculously relieved of duty and the
above were implemented, Maui just might see a drastic lowering of crime.

David Brusacoram

Chisholm, Minn.