published: Friday, May 04, 2012

Do the hate crime, do the hard time

OURVOICE

Do the hate crime, do the hard time

These acts cannot be tolerated

Youthful indiscretions are sometimes minimized as the product of undeveloped and immature minds.

"No harm, no foul" is a phrase that suggests certain offenses should go unpunished. No damages were done, so let it slide. Some-times the best lesson in life is to show mercy.

Some youthful offenses, however, must be addressed swiftly and sternly.

Last week, Lady Lake residents were stun-ned to find graffiti sprayed on cars, a garage door and a fence on Palm Street in a quiet neighborhood.

Vandalism causing property damages should be punished promptly and severely. But vandalism that projects a message of hate and racial intolerance should be taken to the next level.

Lady Lake police found the letters KKK and a swastika painted on fences and property.

Two juveniles were arrested for the crimes last Thursday.

Prior to the arrests, Lake County sheriff's Sgt. Jim Vachon said that the detective assigned to the case "never had (seen) anything similar to this kind of hateful vandalism in that area before."

Vachon said the two offenders were charged with criminal mischief with the hate crime enhancement, a first-degree misdemeanor. They were booked into the Lake County jail and later released to their parents. Both were reportedly cooperative with investigators and both claimed the offenses were not racially motivated.

Little else is known at this time about the arrests, the investigation or the juveniles. But the nature of the offenses casts serious doubt on the juveniles' claims that their actions were racially neutral.

With easy access to online information about the meaning of the egregious symbols, it is hard to believe the juveniles were committing mere acts of vandalism.

Prosecutors should send a message: This type of offense cannot and will not be tolerated.

Property damage is one thing. But crimes of hate -- motivated by race, faith or politics -- should never fall into the easy category of youthful indiscretions.