Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-01-30
'MUGGERS PARADISE
Street Violence Arouses Public

mission to carry a gun. The
department head seemed sur
prised and asked II / really
would shoot such q person.
I replied that I would.
II those people who make
a practice Of violating the
laws Of our land were sum-
marty executed. 1t would be
an excellent plan.
Westerner.
No one is safe on the streets
of the Capital Of the United
States. When q criminal is
caught he is often given a
light sentence and later
turned loose on the public.
Our rulers are too busy
now with the latest sport.
trying TO shoot the moon. and
seeing who can ny the largest
Sputnik. So we continue TO
live in terror.
Disgusted Citizen.
One of your readers suR-
gests that It may become
necessary for citizens ito
protect themselves" II mugg-
ing and yoking continue on
District Of Columbia streets.
As far as we womenfolk are
concerned there are not many
weapons that we can legally,
safely or easily carry. and few
OF Us have mastered judo.
There is, however. one weap-
on that any woman can carry
and easily conceal and I am
inclined to believe il would
prove very effective in ward
ing OF attackers. That is q
good strong hatpin about 4
inches long. ! know 1t sounds
Silly-but II carried right
the head between two fingers
and the point outward from
a clenched hand-all you
have 70 do is sock. ! never
knew anyone yet that
wouldn't draw back when
stuck with a pin: and just
think how effective a good
jab would be.
Anne Snyder.
Gainesville. Ga.
II the Police Department
would place on night patrol
duty the many ofiicers now
busily engaged in giving out
parking tickets TO citizens
whose only law violations
consist Of minor trafiic Of
lenses. then perhaps some
substantial crime prevention
might result. OF course. the
substantial revenue secured
by the District from parking
tickets stands in the way Of
this seemingly worthwhile
reform.
I think the recent expert
ment in New York with foot
patrolmen shows that my
suggestion might have some
merit.
S. J. II.
I read with interest and
disgust the Sunday Star
article entitled williams
Free Again After Life Of
Crime"
I imagine my reaction was
the same as thousands OF
other Washingtonians.
The situation in Washing
ton is very serious. rs We all
know. And It is getting worse.
/ am a Government employe
and have been for Is years.
on November 10. q man stole
my purse right In my office.
I grabbed him but he hit me
and got away. There have
been other cases like mine.
To think Of all the security
clearance we have TO go
through In order TO get and
keep any Job in Government.
and then these thugs are
permitted TO enter and roam
through Government build
ings as they wish.
A person is not safe on the
streets Of Washington even
in the daytime. After going
10 the precinct several times
TO see II I could identify the
man who stole my purse, ]
was amazed at the pictures Of
the criminals they showed
me and also to learn how
many times these persons
have been arrested and
served time. The police told
me these men even expect"
to get picked up several
times a month. So they are
arrested--serve a light SEN
tence and are let loose TO do
repeat" Jobs. What's the
use Of experimenting them at
alp I know it's a problem
and I don't exactly blame
the police force. They are