Demand reform

I am outraged at the murders of Eve Carson and Abhijit Mahato. I am almost more outraged at what we have learned about how the N.C. Division of Community Corrections mishandled the cases of the two alleged perpetrators. Your newspaper has been full of disturbing stories of ineptitude, carelessness, negligence and what, to my mind, is almost criminal misconduct. These are the people who are supposed to be keeping us, the citizens, safe from people who have been found to be dangerous.

I have learned that outrage in cases like this is not enough. It is particularly not enough when the powers-that-be seem to be in no hurry to fix blame or hold anyone accountable. (Oh, I'm wrong. Two people have been transferred.) What is far more productive is an incensed public that calls for reform. We need root and branch changes in our justice system.

Here it is election season, and several hundred people in North Carolina are running for public office. I haven't heard a one of them call for an overhaul of the Division of Community Corrections.

Well, I'm calling for such an overhaul. Let's not let this drop. Let's have at least something positive come out of this tragedy.

James R. Leutze

Chancellor Emeritus, University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington