We are all aware of the crime problem in Robeson County. We rank embarrassingly high in the state when it comes to violent crime and property crime, and at times our law enforcement agencies, under resourced as they are, appear as if they have gone to a gun fight with a butter knife.
A mixture of things — poverty, drugs, alcohol, broken homes, an undereducated populace — have conspired against us, making this county less attractive to professionals and industries looking for a place to set up shop. Too often our crime rate trumps all that is attractive about this county — friendly people, a temperate climate, great location, good roads, a regional airport, plenty of water and cheap land, a state park on the Lumber River, recreational opportunities, Southeastern Regional Medical Center, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Robeson Community College, and much more.
With all that as inspiration, this newspaper has joined the crime fight, but once again, we are only the messenger. It is you, the public, who must enlist if this effort is going to take a bite out of crime.
On Tuesday, The Robesonian will debut “Robeson County’s Most Wanted,”a feature that we plan to continue each Tuesday on Page 2A until all of the bad guys are rounded up.
We will work with local law enforcement agencies that will provide information on criminals on the loose that we will publish. We will begin with the Sheriff’s Office and the Lumberton Police Department, but all law enforcement agencies in this county will be extended an invitation to participate. The feature will include, but not always be limited to, the suspect’s photograph, date of birth, last known address, and information on physical characteristics such as hair and eye color, height, weight and distinguishing marks such as tattoos.
All that information will also be dumped onto our website at robesonian.com.
You know the next part of the plan. When a reader or a visitor to robesonian.com sees a familiar if not a friendly face, there will be phone numbers provided to call to deliver to interested law enforcement officers information that could lead to an arrest.
The concept is well worn, but has a demonstrated record of effectiveness. wins — except those whose photographs will be included in Robeson County’s Most Wanted.
The only answer to this is not going to be found in some government program or politician. It will be found in the church, but not just any church. One that teaches the Bible as the complete and inerrant Word of GOd. One that calls sin what it is and calls on the sinner to receive salvation by grace and renounce the sin.
If you examine all the worlds religions, you find the concepts of justice (punishment for crime/sin) and mercy. Stop and think - for there to be mercy granted, then justice has to be set aside. And justice delayed is not justice. What then is the answer to this? Is God unjust when mercy is granted to the sinner? NO - the answer is that justice for all of our sins was meted out on the Savior on the cross, who suffered a horrible death and separation from the love of God to take on the filth of our sins. So justice was satisfied FULLY in his blood. All you have to do is to believe on this and accept his atoning death, and turn from your sin. THis then is justice delivered and mercy embodied.
This my friends is the ultimate answer for our world and this county. However, I think that we are not long before we hear the trump sound and see teh clouds split and see the Savior coming with all of His glory.