[DavidI]

As most of you know, I have been a cop for more than 30 years in Los Angeles. I come from a home of criminals and gangsters and have first-hand knowledge of "the life." With that said, most criminals will not change until they make a serious commitment to change. There are no programs, midnight basketball (why would a kid be out at midnight?), incentives, or anything else external to force change. The individual has to decide to change. It is that simple.

Let's not forget that the criminal victimized many people before he or she was caught and imprisoned. What do we do for those victimized, robbed, raped, shot, or ripped off by the criminal? Nothing. However, we throw a lot of money and resources at the bad guy who committed the crimes. Prisons remove a dangerous person from society to protect community members.

If you have not directly spoken to these individuals, go out and do so. Most of them will open up about their beliefs and lifestyles. You will be surprised about how "street smart" and cunning many of them are.

I grew up in foster homes and on welfare. My sister was murdered. I speak from the heart and want to protect and help society. People deserve second chances and many succeed through their own hard work and willingness to change. Others prey on society and see them as "marks."

I believe the answer is men teaching young boys how to be men. We are the problem. We get young women pregnant, then abandon them and their young boys to figure things out on their own. They seek a role model in their community who may not be the best. We, as men, need to influence these young boys to become the men we know they can become to become productive and contributing members of society. Not everyone needs to go to college and get an education. Some need a trade skill. It amazes me how skilled some of the "uneducated" people truly are. I am an eternal optimist and always look for the best in people. Let's rock and make our community the best that we can!!!