In Mr. Niermann's letter he asks readers for their "help and ideas on how to stop the growth of Juvenile crime". I am about to answer that request.

Our laws, particularly in the Juvenile areas, need changing.

That is obvious. In particular the parts where the Juvenile is "Protected" from prosecution "Because of his/her age". As has become the rule, people under the age of 18 have to commit murder before they can be prosecuted as an adult would.

Adult criminals, take advantage of this and "Hire" children to do some of their crimes, knowing that they will not be prosecuted. The children know this also. I see many articles in the paper where it is stated; The child's name is not given to "Protect" them.

What is happening is that they are then allowed to do the same things again, multiple times, with no penalty. If they get away with these crimes, eventually their crimes and record will be expunged. i.e. "They never did them".

Children are informed, and if not, learn for themselves, that there are no penalties for their behavior. My solution is this. When a minor commits a crime, their name and picture should be put in the newspaper, and if the crime is major, on TV. This will get their attention, along with prosecution. There would be NO FREE RIDE. Do the crime, pay the time. This suggestion is not just to publicize the crime and criminal; It will also let friends and neighbors be aware of their proclivities. Something like "A watched Pot never boils." In this case people will be watching and the "Potential" criminal will know that, and be much LESS likely to try similar things in the future.

In this case, BIG BROTHER WILL BE WATCHING, and that can be a good thing.

After watching TV and the Killings and shootings at churches, I believe that some people are getting upset with Religion.

Maybe it is because this Country is starting to look and sound like a THEOCRACY. In your paper the other day, there was a listing of all the Candidates and their Religious affiliations. Evidently Bill Maxwell , in one of his articles, is beginning to see this also.

I was led, at an early age, to think there was a separation of Church and Sate in this country. Now it seems that if you do not declare your belief in God or a Supreme being, you can not run for elected office.

You have also had articles about some School Boards insisting that "Creationism" also be taught in Science classes in schools. Where is the separation? Intelligent design is not science. It is a euphemism for "Creationism". This idea only came from the "Old Testament".

Churches and Religions are controlling many sections of our lives. i. e. Abortion rights----Birth Control----Stem Cell research, to name just a few.

In years past, even in this country, people were told by authorities; "If you don't believe what I believe, I will kill you". Many third world countries have those kinds of laws even now. I hope we, as a civilized nation, are not traveling down that road.

I am having a big problem with the stories about

Sex Offenders having to live under bridges and other places they cannot afford etc.

When a Murderer pays his debt to Society, he gets released and can live wherever he wishes,He can get his voting rights back and a drivers licence. If he's on probation he may not be able to have a gun, but if he serves his complete term he can.

Now we have a person (I say person because women can also be sex offenders) who serves his/her term and is then

PUNISHED for the rest of their life. Why is that? I realize that this country is still Puritanical by nature. Sex, in all it's forms is taboo. Unfortunately Sex is here to stay and there will always be those who will break the laws pertaining to it.

My problem is that there is a definate DOUBLE STANDARD. If a sex offender has to live in a seperate location for the rest of his/her life, why shouldn't a murderer? Or a robber? Or a Drug pusher? What makes you think that they will not kill, rob or push drugs again? Shouldn't they be put in a seperate location? How about New Jersey? We could knock the Bridges down and there they all could stay. Something like a modern day Devil's Island.

I have been reading about the new Tent City in St. Petersburg. It seems to have all the amenities one would wish for, when homeless. And all for free. I have been considering my own situation. My home assessment went up 40% last year, and my taxes accordingly. I got a bill for an assessment for $4000.00 . I tried to sell my condo, and found that the price (which my assessment was based on) can not be sold for that, since home values have gone down. I'm sure that means my taxes and assessment will go down next year.

BUT, if it doesn't I can always put things into foreclosure and head for Tent City. I am sure that hundreds of "Homeless" will be heading there also, when they find out about the living arrangements. They will come from miles around and other States. Will this all be covered by our tax dollars? I guess if I can't pay my taxes, and lose my home, I should march on city hall and DEMAND my "Rights". For some reason I thought that people had a right to have a job and pay their bills, but I guess if you choose not to do that you can always say you are being discriminated against. It is the modern day thing to do.

I just got some good news about my Taxes. Last year my assessment went up 40%. Naturally my taxes went with them; but NOW I will get a decrease from TWO directions. The Mayor and the Governor are pushing to pass the Tax Bill in January, and the VALUE of my property has gone way down. So I guess my assessment will go WAY DOWN as well.

This will give me two tax reductions. What? You mean my assessment will not go down? How can that be? I thought the assessed value was based on the probable SALE price.

Have I been lied to by our Government Officials?