OPEN COLUMN
System that lets criminals roam the streets is flawed

Editor, the Tribune: Recently it has come to my attention that one can be arrested multiple times and still walk the streets of Columbia.

For example, in the recent murder on Bearfield Road, one young man who was involved reportedly had been arrested 61 times! But he still was not in jail. As a second example, a young man in a southwest neighborhood has been arrested at least four times for a variety of pretty serious crimes in the past two to three months, but he continues to walk the streets of Columbia free to continue this pattern.

I have called the prosecuting attorney’s office, but no one can give information unless he or she is a victim or witness. I have contacted the police but got pretty much the same response - or no response.

Where do I go for answers? I just want to understand why this is happening. Aren’t other citizens of Columbia outraged by this, or at least concerned?

Would Chris Kelly shed some light on this topic?

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Name withheld upon request

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