Vandalism discovered at home of activists

from the article by Evan Brandt at pottstownmercury.com:

Four days after speaking out at a Borough Council meeting about the need to more closely regulate landlords, Katy Jackson woke up to find that green paint had been sprayed along the wall and side door of her house.

And some reed fencing she and her husband David had recently erected was slashed.

Police investigating the incident said there is no evidence that the vandalism was related to her outspokenness, and the evidence points to a random act of vandalism by a handful of teens.

Jul 30, 2010 Story, Country:England&Wales, Region: Europe

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Offenders provide for food pantries

from Vicki Rock's article in the Daily American:

People sentenced to probation are working in a community garden that provides fresh produce to food pantries in Somerset County.

“This is a learning experience and is part of BARJ — Balanced and Restorative Justice — that teaches offenders that they need to work to benefit the community,” said Michael Sopich, community service coordinator. “This is good for the community — people who may not be able to afford produce can get it. Those who work in the garden learn where produce comes from and they can then put in gardens at home.”

A community garden had been in Somerset years ago, but was stopped. The probation department restarted the garden last year. Robert and Tomalee Will donated about one acre for the garden. They use their farm equipment and fertilizer to prepare the soil. Will also planted 24 rows of corn.

Jul 22, 2010 Story, Region: North America and Caribbean, Country:USA, Community Service

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Help for the victims of crime -- and the offenders

From the 10 July article in The Vancouver Sun by Peter McKnight:

In 2006, the newly elected Conservative government announced, with much pomp and ceremony, the appointment of the first federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. Four years later, Steve Sullivan's role came to an unceremonious end.

Upon leaving office earlier this year, Sullivan condemned the Conservatives for failing to address victims' needs. "The tough-on-crime agenda will not meet the needs of victims of crime," he told Canwest News Service, while emphasizing that imposing stiffer sentences on offenders doesn't amount to serving victims.

Instead, Sullivan argued that victims desire greater participation in the justice system: "If they are engaged in the process, if they understand why decisions are made and are given a voice, they are more satisfied with the result, regardless of the sentence given."

Jul 12, 2010 Media, Story, Case:Homicide, Victim

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Letter to the editor

Dear Editor:

Last summer I impulsively did something that was out of character for me and very foolish. On top of that, it was illegal. I was caught and was given a summons to appear in court.

Fortunately, Estes Park is a compassionate and forward thinking community and allowed me to participate in the Restorative Justice Program. R.J. is a program that allows offenders like myself to pay for their crimes through community service, communication, and interaction with community members and other programs.

Jul 09, 2010 Story

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