From the Principal
CRIME IN OUR CITY & SUBURBS
Too much crime is occurring in our beloved city and suburbs of Melbourne and no longer can the majority of the population rest easy at night or walk calmly in the parks and along paths that are even somewhat isolated.
What a grim story there is for newsreaders to tell and journalists to write about crime on our streets, in our homes, to businesses, and even in schools and churches. Machetes have been rightfully banned and many binned, but still crime doers of all ages and genders carry them as some type of honor and threat. They are indeed potential and actual weapons of death.
Tobacco shops are a target of gangs and evildoers. Crimes are committed against people due to their ethnicity or religious beliefs. Damage is done, peoples’ possessions are stolen, items are ransacked, and it has become an everyday instance of a stolen vehicle, smashed window, robbery of a supermarket, bashings and brawls of great intensity.
Police do their best and magistrates set punishments. Both still come in for criticism by authorities and the public. Governments legislate and courts sentence. Both still are seen as weak and lily-livered to tackle crime forthrightly and in a tough manner.
People in Melbourne are genuinely scared and fear that next they shall be the victim. Self defence is not seen as an option for fear of greater harm from the thief, burglar, criminal and whatever guise crime comes in. Some school children are scared of wearing their identifiable school uniform on the streets, and people of certain ethnicities are targets when wearing traditional clothes in public.
Solutions are offered and then proven to be ineffectual. Harsher penalties are called for but they have not lowered the criminal temperature in Melbourne. Drugs are identified as crime causes and indeed they are, along with overseas operations who recruit young Melburnians to do their dirty work.
We know that Jesus mixed with criminals, He died with a criminal on either side of him. He called for visitation to prisons and for forgiveness and pity for the evildoer. However, Jesus condemned violence, sinful behavior, those who disrespected life and stole, plundered and did harm to others.
If we are brave and strong enough, good people need us as a voice to speak out for them, properly guided legislators who make good laws, fund police, direct court officials, and secure premises and businesses and homes from invasion and pillage.
No fix-it solution is offered in this Principal’s Bulletin, save for recognition that crime in the city and the suburbs must be stopped. We pray for the victims of wrongdoing; we call for civic and legal actions that have strength and relevance; and we ensure that through our actions only compassion, forgiveness, generosity, humility, peace and love of neighbour (our Monican Kingdom Values) shine forth. That is our faith in action, prayer and perseverance.
Mr Brian Hanley OAM
Principal