Ignoring Crime

* About two months ago in the early morning hours, my neighbor, in an intoxicated state, fired approximately eight shots into the neighborhood. No words can describe what went through my mind as my mom and I lay crouched on the living room floor. Although no one was injured, a part of my life died.

I realized that the blanket of security and peace I was living under had begun to unravel. Those unalienable rights that were so eloquently put by our Founding Fathers in the Declaration of Independence were crumbling. If one person has the right to bear arms, where do the rights of those who choose to live in peace and serenity come in?

It seems as though the mores of society are changing where people have the attitude of “crime is everywhere.” As if it is hopeless and is to be tolerated. It’s time to stand up for our right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

It makes me so disgusted that some members of society can just ignore crime because they were not directly affected by the incident, when in truth society suffers as a whole.

JAIME LINDHOLM

San Clemente