What A Sad Way To Start Off New Year

Teen Stabbed To Death In East Toronto

Girl believed to be just 14-years-old becomes the first murder victim of 2008.

Arrest made in Toronto stabbing death

Police are doing their job..........

Clamp down on gun crime

Re "Year of the assassin" (Dec. 30): Once again it's been a violent year of murders, with running gun battles in the streets, drive by shootings and innocent people, including children, shot down. So Toronto has retained the title "Dodge City." In spite of an efficient, capable police service, the slaughter continues. What does it take to wake up the justice system in this country? When are we going to get some gun laws which hand out stiff sentences for carrying a handgun and an even stiffer penalty for the criminal use of a firearm? When are we going to get some judges who will throw the book at individuals who show no respect for human life? I am sick and tired of hearing killers getting out on bail to murder again, of sentences which are laughable and plea bargains that should never have been offered. Many have made this complaint over the years but nothing seems to change. For government to allow this brazen disrespect for the law is a crime in itself. We need a justice system with judges who will sentence the guilty to the full extent of the law, or we may as well change the name to "Murder City."

Dave Cunningham
Hamilton

(Are you listening, judges? Are you listening, politicians?)