Comments on: Crime on the rise in Floyd County http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/2982 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 17:22:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeff Walker http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/2982/comment-page-1#comment-5930 Jeff Walker Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:15:50 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=2982#comment-5930 The relevance of the crime report numbers is strikingly similar to the reports our kids get when playing Sim-Town. In this game the "mayor" makes choices to avoid various natural, sociological, or economic disasters befalling the "town's" populace. In the game it's a simple matter to make some changes, to tweak a few parameters. For example the town builds a library or school or jail, funds a garden or park, builds housing, or roads. I think people play this game due to the ready choices, and the quick response of the game to the inputs. Real life communities actually have similar choices, though only a select few, perhaps the boldest and wisest of participants, are able to convince others of the clarity of a growth vision, and make the tough political choices to manage the growth. I hope that Floyd continues to have the ability to evaluate and make good choices, for clearly we have done well up until now (with occasional slips). And the population appreciates the importance of their contributions; which is more than paying our taxes and participating in community. I think Floyd's residents, more than any area I have participated in has internalized the blessing of the classical virtues: * Valour: Pursuit of Courage and Knowledge * Generosity: Pursuit of Giving * Liberality: Pursuit of Will * Diligence: Pursuit of Ethics * Patience: Pursuit of Peace * Kindness: Pursuit of Charity * Humility: Pursuit of Modesty The relevance of the crime report numbers is strikingly similar to the reports our kids get when playing Sim-Town. In this game the “mayor” makes choices to avoid various natural, sociological, or economic disasters befalling the “town’s” populace. In the game it’s a simple matter to make some changes, to tweak a few parameters. For example the town builds a library or school or jail, funds a garden or park, builds housing, or roads.
I think people play this game due to the ready choices, and the quick response of the game to the inputs. Real life communities actually have similar choices, though only a select few, perhaps the boldest and wisest of participants, are able to convince others of the clarity of a growth vision, and make the tough political choices to manage the growth.
I hope that Floyd continues to have the ability to evaluate and make good choices, for clearly we have done well up until now (with occasional slips). And the population appreciates the importance of their contributions; which is more than paying our taxes and participating in community. I think Floyd’s residents, more than any area I have participated in has internalized the blessing of the classical virtues:
* Valour: Pursuit of Courage and Knowledge
* Generosity: Pursuit of Giving
* Liberality: Pursuit of Will
* Diligence: Pursuit of Ethics
* Patience: Pursuit of Peace
* Kindness: Pursuit of Charity
* Humility: Pursuit of Modesty

]]> By: Doug Thompson http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/2982/comment-page-1#comment-5926 Doug Thompson Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:41:20 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=2982#comment-5926 I'm curious as to how you apply a benchmark to the claim that the "listing of court cases has not significantly changed." I'm the one who covers court for The Floyd Press and have been reporting on that change for the past five years. The number of court cases have changed. The number of crimes involving theft, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault have changed. We went a decade without a murder and now have had two in the last two years along with another shooting death. We used to average one jury trial every four-or-five years. Now we have four or five a year. When the Director of Emergency Services goes to the Floyd County Board of Supervisors to warn that crime is on the rise, it is a clear signal that we have a problem that needs attention. I'd suggest spending a few Tuesdays in Circuit Court, Thursdays in District Court and Fridays in Family Court. It could be a revelation. I’m curious as to how you apply a benchmark to the claim that the “listing of court cases has not significantly changed.” I’m the one who covers court for The Floyd Press and have been reporting on that change for the past five years. The number of court cases have changed. The number of crimes involving theft, drug abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault have changed. We went a decade without a murder and now have had two in the last two years along with another shooting death.

We used to average one jury trial every four-or-five years. Now we have four or five a year. When the Director of Emergency Services goes to the Floyd County Board of Supervisors to warn that crime is on the rise, it is a clear signal that we have a problem that needs attention.

I’d suggest spending a few Tuesdays in Circuit Court, Thursdays in District Court and Fridays in Family Court. It could be a revelation.

]]> By: Yvonne http://www.blueridgemuse.com/node/2982/comment-page-1#comment-5922 Yvonne Thu, 21 Jan 2010 04:15:57 +0000 http://www.blueridgemuse.com/?p=2982#comment-5922 Doug: While there have been a few unusual incidents of crime and/or violence over the past year in Floyd, most residents (native and newcomers) still feel very fortunate to live in this little piece of paradise. Yes, there have been several high-profile and very unfortunate events, but the Floyd Press listing of court cases has not significantly changed -- either in quantity or the nature of the offenses -- in the past ten years. It is a blessing to live in a place where you can leave your doors unlocked and truly not worry about it, and where you can start your car in the morning a couple of minutes early to let it warm up without worrying about it being stolen. People in many other parts of this country do not have the good fortune to live in such a place as Floyd County. Doug: While there have been a few unusual incidents of crime and/or violence over the past year in Floyd, most residents (native and newcomers) still feel very fortunate to live in this little piece of paradise. Yes, there have been several high-profile and very unfortunate events, but the Floyd Press listing of court cases has not significantly changed — either in quantity or the nature of the offenses — in the past ten years. It is a blessing to live in a place where you can leave your doors unlocked and truly not worry about it, and where you can start your car in the morning a couple of minutes early to let it warm up without worrying about it being stolen. People in many other parts of this country do not have the good fortune to live in such a place as Floyd County.

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