Opinion Tuesday, November 19, 2013
The Appalachian | TheAppalachianOnline.com
Staff Opinion
Staff Opinion
Sex offender application should broaden the spectrum Cory Spiers Opinion Editor
There seems to be a mobile application for everything today. There is an app developed by the North Carolina Department of Justice that allows you to find out how many registered sex offenders are within 1 to 5 miles of where you are standing at any given time, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper visited the State Bureau of Investigation office Tuesday to promote the free app, which has been downloaded more than 40,000 times since its release in January 2012, accord-
ing to the article. Should people know where sex offenders are? Perhaps; however, there is no such app for locating people who have committed other crimes in the past. I believe that if there is such transparency for one group, that transparency should apply to all. In fact, the Bureau of Justice Statistics conducted a 2007 study that measured the rates of recidivism among criminals on a national scale. Recidivism, according to the report, is measured by “criminal acts that resulted in the rearrest, reconviction or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a three-year period following the prisoner’s release.” According to the report, only 2.5 percent of those arrested for rape were arrested for an-
other rape within three years. Conversely, the released prisoners who had the highest rates of recidivism included robbers, burglars, larcenists and motor vehicle thieves, which all measured at a recidivism rate of more than 70 percent each within three years of their release. By that logic, it would seem that state residents should be just as concerned with other types of criminals, who are more likely to be repeat offenders. According to sexoffender. ncdoj.gov, there are currently 37 registered sex offenders in Watauga County. By the national trends pointed out in the recidivism study, we can expect roughly one of those offenders to be arrested again in three years. In no way should sexual offenses be condoned or taken
lightly, but where is the onus on other crimes? The biggest focus from things like this app should ultimately be on criminals who are likely to reoffend. “We put this thing in place because it’s more likely for a sex offender to reoffend than other offenders,” Cooper said in an interview with the Winson-Salem Journal. That statement does not add up to the previously mentioned data regarding recidivism. I will keep this app off of my phone, for now. That is, until the Department of Justice decides to factor in violent criminals, who on the surface appear to present just as much of a serious threat to our safety in the long run. Spiers, a junior journalism major from Charlotte, is the opinion editor.
Editorial Cartoon
NC sex offender smartphone app looks over other crimes
Andrew D. Cox | The Appalachian
Staff Opinion
ACLU involvement in Boone’s election justified Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer
After months of controversy surrounding voting laws, Watauga County elections went on with few problems. Fortunately, the American Civil Liberties Union is hoping to see that it stays that way. North Carolina’s chapter of the organization recently sent a letter to County Attorney Stacy Eggers stressing the need to observe election laws, and stating their intention to have monitors present at the 2014 elections, according to
the Watauga Democrat. The ACLU has been a polarizing force for many because of the controversial stances it often takes on issues like free speech. In this case, some are probably wondering why the ACLU should intervene in the business of Watauga County. This attitude is wrong, first of all, because the ACLU is responding to complaints from Watauga County residents. Also, given the attempts to curb voting in the past few months, it is important to have an organization give its support to efforts to help defend the voting rights of all. It was only about three months ago that the Watauga County Board of Elections voted to remove the on-cam-
pus voting site, and set up a precinct for 9,000 voters at the Agricultural Center, the Watauga Democrat reports. The restrictions of that venue would have ultimately made it difficult for many students to vote. Voting rights have become a central focus of the process in making this country a more democratic place. The right of college students to vote in the town in which they go to school was protected by the Supreme Court in the 1978 case Symm v. United States. More recently, voting rights have been dealt challenges from both the state and national levels. In June, the Supreme Court struck down a provision of the
Voting Rights Act that compels states to seek approval for changes in voting laws, according to CNN. At the state level, a voting law passed earlier in the year required photo ID and shortened early voting periods, according to WNCN. These developments make it necessary that we pay special attention to see that these rights are protected. As intrusive as it may seem, the decision of ACLU to become involved in Watauga County’s elections is a positive development, because they are doing so to ensure that the rights of all are protected. Griffin, a sophomore journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.
CORRECTION: An article in the Thursday, November 14 issue of The Appalachian titled “Chancellor search committee should not be private” misquotes a source. Paul Gates, a member of Faculty Senate, said “the campus community, Faculty Senate and Staff Senate could meet with the final three candidates who make the short list,” not dozens, as the article suggests. Gates referred to dozens of possible campus representatives with whom the final three candidates could meet. The Appalachian apologizes for the error.
The Appalachian The Editorial Board
MICHAEL BRAGG
CORY SPIERS
JOSHUA FARMER
ANDREW CLAUSEN
ABBI PITTMAN
MALIK RAHILI
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
Opinion Editor Sports Editor
Chief Copy Editor
Production & Design Editor
News Editor
Photo Editor
STEPHANIE SANSOUCY ALEXANDER MCCALL A&E Editor
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JUSTIN PERRY
JACKSON HELMS Video Editor
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Sheriff drug drop box offers safety, anonymity for Watauga Elizabeth McMichael Opinion Writer
The sheriff’s office of Watauga County has initiated a new, easy way to dispose of drugs and other medications. They have introduced a drug drop box in the building where residents can easily and anonymously drop off medications they no longer need. This new system stems from the biannual Operation Medicine Cabinet, which allows people to drop off their unneeded medicines twice a year. Fortunately, with the new drop box, citizens of Watauga County won’t have to wait for those biannual dates and instead are able to drop off their medications between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box was provided by Project Lazarus, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce the number of deaths caused by drug overdoses. The medications will then be taken from the sheriff’s office where they will be incinerated. By instituting this new system, the sheriff’s office and Project Lazarus are taking a big step toward helping protect members of this county. Hopefully, limiting access to the drugs that could end up being abused, there will be a lower chance of people getting their hands on it and causing themselves harm. Another positive is that the drop box provides anonymity to the people who drop the drugs off. This allows people the security of knowing there is a safe place to dispose of these things without questions or judgment. This is a practice that should be taken up in other counties, as well. If there is success here, then perhaps other counties in North Carolina will take note and implement something similar. Even beyond that, having a nationwide push for drop boxes would greatly aid in the safety of the public. According to the Washington Post, in 2010, 38 states have reported more than 10 deaths per 100,000 people due to drug overdoses. If the police and state governments can do even a small part to help minimize the number of deaths, then they should take those measures. The safety of the public should always be a top concern. I applaud the efforts of this organization and I sincerely hope that this development leads to the continued safety for the people of Watauga and our nation. This development ultimately keeps Watauga safe while also presenting anonymity for users. McMichael, a freshman chemistry major from Raleigh, is an opinion writer.
Letters to the Editor The Appalachian welcomes Letters to the Editor. Letters should be 250 words or less and include the author’s name, ASU Box, phone number, classification and campus affiliation, if any. Although we are unable to acknowledge those letters we cannot publish, we appreciate the interest and value the views of those who take the time to send us their comments. Letters should be submitted electronically via our Web site or e-mail. Letters may also be mailed to “Letter to the Editor,” The Appalachian, ASU Box 9025, Boone, N.C. 28608. Letters may also be brought to the newsroom, located on the second floor of Plemmons Student Union.