So this guy has made a bad situation worse. He would have been charged with theft, now he will be charged with robbery.

this whole beautificational theme in downtown is not being helped with the increased violance in the area...maybe a sub-police station is needed where the cops can hang around. Hopefully, crime is reduced for the sake of theses store owners.

Police substations don't do any good. They are nothing but a storefront. Every time I drive by the substation on Washington St. it appears to be closed. What they need are more foot or bike patrols. I live in the area of Krauzer's and I actually have seen bike patrols in the area at times. These types of isolated incidents are very hard to prevent even with a greater police presence.

I'm shocked, Shocked! It's a sad state of affairs when a store clerk expects a customer to pay for his purchase. Then to have the nerve to confront the shopper when leaving with his bag of merchandise. And adding insult to injury, to call the customer black! The clerk obviously deserved the two, or three, slaps he received from the agitated individual. When will the protest march be held outside this bastion of the Establishment?

I'm shocked, shocked that James Johnston would dwell on the race of the alleged perpetrator! It is so unusual for James Johnston to dwell on the race of suspects! When will he stop hiding behind sarcasm and tell us what point he is trying to make?

One point would be that sarcasm is wasted on a linear thinker like yourself. I'm not shocked, nor surprised, that you would comment, since you seem to have something to say about every article. A more subtle point would be that 'black' is not a race, but rather a description which can have a pejorative connotation. Your use of the term 'alleged perpetrator' might indicate sympathy for the more lawless element among us, or perhaps a fondness for old-school rhetoric. The solutions
to local crime lie within the purview of citizens, who need to focus on the individuals who are committing offenses, and not dwelling on law enforcement as the problem.

James, I agree with your last point -- key word "individuals" -- but it does not follow from the article, where no one is mentioned blaming law enforcement for anything. Arguing with people who are not there is certainly non-linear thinking, I'll give you that. Feel free to read that sarcastically if you wish.

ryan ryan ryan... is there any more to you than that? identify yourself beyond a possible first or last name. try to follow a thread, or an argument, beyond one word, or one post... read and re-read, ponder, consider. certainly practice sarcasm, when you are capable. in the meantime, preach to your choir and sing your simple hymns!

Peace, Mr. Johnston.