Comments on: From Drug-Dealers to Community Leaders: The Impact of Violence Free Zones http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/ Tue, 14 Feb 2012 22:27:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Cory, PA http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-82463 Cory, PA Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:09:34 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-82463 I am not that familiar with the VFZ program but as far as I've learned they have measurable results. I am a firm believer in each one reach one and many of the ones who need to be reach will only listen to those who relate. Alot of people who pass judgement on these sort of programs are far out of touch of inner city communities and the challenges that arise....I do believe programs like this can be and are sucessful with proper accountability and lng term planning. There are many people born and raised in these inner city environment's who hear a story to share about mistake, reformation, rehabilitation and more. JUST AS IT IS MANY IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS with stories of reformation, rehabilitation, and more! I am not that familiar with the VFZ program but as far as I've learned they have measurable results. I am a firm believer in each one reach one and many of the ones who need to be reach will only listen to those who relate. Alot of people who pass judgement on these sort of programs are far out of touch of inner city communities and the challenges that arise….I do believe programs like this can be and are sucessful with proper accountability and lng term planning. There are many people born and raised in these inner city environment's who hear a story to share about mistake, reformation, rehabilitation and more. JUST AS IT IS MANY IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS with stories of reformation, rehabilitation, and more!

]]> By: Bill, Long Island http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-69153 Bill, Long Island Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:00:38 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-69153 They had a guy, I think he was a "reformed" gang member who made a monopoly out of his supposed reform and was actually recruiting new members for his gang while being paid as acummunity organizer. I am not sure what organization he was affiliated with but I am concerned with the fact that is asks that these reformed reformers are to be taken on face value. Wouls we alllow a recovering addict to work as a pharmacist -- simply because he had extensive exposure to drug use..? I have heard of mentors covering for kids and running interference within the criminal justice process by not reporting incidents in and out of schools... Not sold on it! They had a guy, I think he was a "reformed" gang member who made a monopoly out of his supposed reform and was actually recruiting new members for his gang while being paid as acummunity organizer. I am not sure what organization he was affiliated with but I am concerned with the fact that is asks that these reformed reformers are to be taken on face value. Wouls we alllow a recovering addict to work as a pharmacist — simply because he had extensive exposure to drug use..? I have heard of mentors covering for kids and running interference within the criminal justice process by not reporting incidents in and out of schools… Not sold on it!

]]> By: Bobbie Jay http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-69100 Bobbie Jay Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:51:09 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-69100 I agree, Darlene. It's right to hold parents accountable for the misbehavior of their youth. Meaning the parents should pay all expenses to any misbehavior their youth may cause, and then deal with their youth, as the upbringing expects. Once government takes over, nobody will be held accountable... but the taxpayers. How do we know this isn't some type of indoctrination? If civil law were enforced with severe penalty, this would deter crime and eliminate "babysitting by government," costs... I agree, Darlene. It's right to hold parents accountable for the misbehavior of their youth. Meaning the parents should pay all expenses to any misbehavior their youth may cause, and then deal with their youth, as the upbringing expects. Once government takes over, nobody will be held accountable… but the taxpayers.

How do we know this isn't some type of indoctrination?

If civil law were enforced with severe penalty, this would deter crime and eliminate "babysitting by government," costs…

]]> By: Darlene, PA http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-68984 Darlene, PA Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:41:35 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-68984 This is going to have a hard time working because no one can be expected to do this job full time for a lot of kids. The people doing this would have to make a commitment of at least 4 years to even have a chance at it. Here is a suggestion lower everyone's taxes so that one parent can stay at home and raise there own children, there commitment is a life time one. Most people because of the cost of living have to have a two person income and most of the time that is not even enough. Then gov. run schools, and day care, and after school programs, and you name it raise the children not the way God intended it. Gov. has already said they can do it better, no way. It ends up kids are raising kids and that doesn't even work in elephants. The kids become violent juvenile delinquents. This is going to have a hard time working because no one can be expected to do this job full time for a lot of kids. The people doing this would have to make a commitment of at least 4 years to even have a chance at it.

Here is a suggestion lower everyone's taxes so that one parent can stay at home and raise there own children, there commitment is a life time one. Most people because of the cost of living have to have a two person income and most of the time that is not even enough. Then gov. run schools, and day care, and after school programs, and you name it raise the children not the way God intended it.

Gov. has already said they can do it better, no way. It ends up kids are raising kids and that doesn't even work in elephants. The kids become violent juvenile delinquents.

]]> By: Freedom of Speech, T http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-68972 Freedom of Speech, T Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:14:08 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-68972 ANY program that will help diminish youth crime is worthy of the attempt. Meanwhile, do not take away our 2d Amendment Rights. There is never a policeman or first responder when you really need one. I don't want anyone raped, maimed, terrorized, or killed while well-meaning former criminals are transforming troubled lives. Unfortunately, these barbarous acts will continue, which is the primary reason for suburban flight. ANY program that will help diminish youth crime is worthy of the attempt.

Meanwhile, do not take away our 2d Amendment Rights. There is never a policeman or first responder when you really need one.

I don't want anyone raped, maimed, terrorized, or killed while well-meaning former criminals are transforming troubled lives. Unfortunately, these barbarous acts will continue, which is the primary reason for suburban flight.

]]> By: Scott from Nashville http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-68898 Scott from Nashville Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:58:54 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-68898 Are you suggesting that we eliminate the professional educational establishment?. Are you suggesting that we eliminate the

professional educational establishment?.

]]> By: Robert Howard http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-68891 Robert Howard Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:39:14 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-68891 I don’t know or endorse this group but the question is one of transformation. That is why mercy programs, including government programs do not work. The greatest recorded transformation was of Saul who became the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. From “breathing out murderous threats” he was transformed to live and preach the message of love and salvation. Who are we to through stones at those striving to transform others through God’s grace and faith? Is not our time not better spent exposing the fraud being perpetrated one us by a secular government “exploiting and not enabling” these poor communities with our tax dollars. Here is one example from the group’s web site. "Victory Fellowship founder Freddie Garcia was a hard-core drug addict and criminal when he found redemption. Cured through faith of his addiction and filled with a desire to help other addicts, he and his wife returned to his hometown of San Antonio to open a ministry in a tiny house." I don’t know or endorse this group but the question is one of transformation. That is why mercy programs, including government programs do not work. The greatest recorded transformation was of Saul who became the apostle Paul on the road to Damascus. From “breathing out murderous threats” he was transformed to live and preach the message of love and salvation. Who are we to through stones at those striving to transform others through God’s grace and faith? Is not our time not better spent exposing the fraud being perpetrated one us by a secular government “exploiting and not enabling” these poor communities with our tax dollars. Here is one example from the group’s web site. "Victory Fellowship founder Freddie Garcia was a hard-core drug addict and criminal when he found redemption. Cured through faith of his addiction and filled with a desire to help other addicts, he and his wife returned to his hometown of San Antonio to open a ministry in a tiny house."

]]> By: Ozzy6900, CT http://blog.heritage.org/2009/11/17/from-drug-dealers-to-community-leaders-the-impact-of-violence-free-zones/#comment-68866 Ozzy6900, CT Tue, 17 Nov 2009 11:39:47 +0000 http://www.foundry.org/?p=19988#comment-68866 Ha, ha, ha! So what you are telling all of us is that the low life, gang-bangers will honor these VFZ's? Please --- share what you are smoking with the rest of us! You do not negotiate with criminals or terrorists. You obliterate them or they will take over. There is no DMZ or VFZ because these "terrorists" (gang-bangers) will do what they want, when they want and to whom they want. My God, when will Society realize this? The only way to make the streets safer is to eliminate the "problem". Ha, ha, ha! So what you are telling all of us is that the low life, gang-bangers will honor these VFZ's? Please — share what you are smoking with the rest of us!

You do not negotiate with criminals or terrorists. You obliterate them or they will take over. There is no DMZ or VFZ because these "terrorists" (gang-bangers) will do what they want, when they want and to whom they want. My God, when will Society realize this? The only way to make the streets safer is to eliminate the "problem".

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