Arrest Made in Tenant Assault
It is one of the most dreaded events that a resident can experience. Having your home or apartment broken into is an extremely difficult situation to deal with. Add to the forced entry an assault on the tenant or resident and now the case is made considerably more revolting. The recent arrest of a 17 year old male in such an attack begs to ask the question “why?’. What would bring 4 young men to the point of breaking into the rental of another man and physically attacking him? The story describes the situation as being where at least one of the men involved in the attack was known to the victim. Is there ever a situation where this type of behavior is reasonable?Too often we jump to conclusion about a story we hear or a situation that has occurred. We are quick to blame and condemn those that have acted aggressively or in an extreme manner. I admit that I have found myself judging an individual or group simply on one article or news story. So why bother going to trial or further investigating the case? Is it so that we can better determine the sentence after considering the details surrounding the event?
The Police and prosecutors involved in the investigation have likely reviewed as many facts as possible prior to making an arrest or laying charges. I am sure that the process for them can be frustrating when they are convinced of a suspect’s guilt but are only allowed to present certain pieces of evidence at trial. If jurys or judges are only allowed to consider certain things, it may mean that the defendant is able to avoid a conviction. At the same time, we must give the individuals charged an opportunity to prove their innocence or at least give relevant reason for their actions. Those of us that may read about the case can help make the process fair by remembering that we are all innocent until proven guilty.
Are we adding insult to the injury of a victim by holding our judgment until all of the facts have been disclosed? I am sure that some victims may feel that the outrage against a suspect is the appropriate way for the public to show support. On the other hand, the community can support victims of crimes by showing their disgust over the event itself and waiting for the trial results so that they will be sure to identify the crime with the right criminal. A victim may feel even more overwhelmed if the suspect turns out to be innocent. No one needs the stress or guilt created when they realize that they have been pursuing or prosecuting the wrong person.
In this case of the tenant being assaulted after his rental was broken into, it appears to be clear that there are 4 suspects and 1 victim. The reason for the attack is yet to be known but would it matter? Is an attack an attack no matter what the reason or are there times when we would cheer on an assault? This sounds horrible but books and films have depicted stories of when vengeance or street justice is openly accepted. Movies like “Four Brothers” * “A time to kill” illustrate situations where we as a public see an attack as a reasonable act, even if it is technically illegal. In this situation, it would appear that the suspects had an unfair advantage over the victim and due to their young ages, they probably lack the maturity required to determine an appropriate action.
It is stories like these that inspire us to examine our values as a society. In a more realistic manner, we take a look at our accommodations. Especially our rented homes so that we can be sure that the security of the property and building are adequate. Things like security cameras may deter criminal activity to a point. They do help to identify suspects after the fact and can speed up the investigation process considerably. Other security features of a rental are obviously the door locks. Having a viewing lens in the door can be a simple way of securing a unit. If the building has underground parking, it is important to have the area well lit at night.
Ultimately, tenants must take responsibility for their own safety by selecting properties that meet their unique needs. Things like carrying a personal alarm is a good method of ensuring safety. More advanced solutions such as self-defense classes or carrying repellants such as mace may suit some but most will find that common sense is the most important tool to personal protection. Try not to putt yourself in situations where you may be at risk. Try to walk or travel with someone else so that you are not alone and generally be aware of your surroundings. Tips like these can help to make people less vulnerable and reduce their security risks.
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