Editorial Crime in Oregon a complex problem Seven yean ago Portland was one of the country's most liveable cities. According to FBI crime figures released last week, however, that has changed. Portland now is con sidered one of nation's most dangerous cities because of its increased crime rate If crime in Portland, and the rest of Oregon, is to be solved, several aspects must be considered The FBI report showed Portland to have the 28th highest overall murder rate while remaining the nation's 40th largest city. Fifty-three murders have been committed in Portland this year compared to 50 in 1986. Burglary and robbery were the only crime rates down since the first of the year. Portland surpasses larger cities such as Washington D.C.. Cleveland or San Francisco. Cincinnati, a city slightly larger than Portland, only has about half the amount of crime. The most apparent reason for an increase in crime is overcrowded |ails. Currently, officials have been issuing temporary leave to convicts to create more space. Temporary leave releases inmates before they are eligible for parole. But reports from state officials say even releasing some inmates early is not solving the problem. Corrections Direc tor Michael Francke cited public support for stiffer fail sentences and an increased number of jail arrests as the main cause of current overcrowding. Both Gov. Neil Goldschmidt and the public support plans for more prison space. A minimum-security prison has been proposed and would add space for 1.00 inmates. But because of problems with the temporary-leave system, the credibility of determining dangerous criminals and low-risk criminals has been questioned. The increase in crime also is related to and perpetuates an understaffed police force. Already Portland police in the homicide department are overburdened with screening which cases to investigate. Because of the lack of police, some cases cannot be investigated "We're on the verge of burnout up here. We're simply going day and night non-stop." Sgt. Larry Neville of the Portland homicide unit said after the 52nd murder was discovered. It is easy to cite the sources of a problem, but not always as easy to solve them. Obviously, increasing jail space will enforce the punishment principle of our judicial system. It also will reduce the potential for dangerous criminals to be released on temporary leave. Increasing the police force is another solution. Training people to investigate and solve crimes will alleviate the problem Individuals can take preventive measures to stop crime bv locking their homes or protecting themselves when traveling. This is the most direct way of stopping potential crimes. Both increasing jail space and improving the police force require money and will take time. Oregonians should not hesitate to support these options, however, because our lives may literally depend on it. Portland and Oregon can be known as a liveable city without the fear of crime if its citizens are willing to recognize the reasons for crime and work to solve them. MLCTWEHETH05E CHILDREN DOING IN SCHOOL? iNItr COUNTED THE* WOULD HAVE KEEN intheabmy. Letters Limit weapons The superpowers have agreed finally to do something about the arms race. The treaty that would eliminate Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) in Europe is a historical first step in arms con trol. but it covers barely 4 per cent of the immense nuclear arsenal. The threat of global destruction remains essentially unchanged Further deep reductions in nuclear weapons are essential for continued life on earth. En ding nuclear weapons tests through a Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTB) is for now the best way to slow the nuclear arms race because it freezes the development of new weapons, including the destablizing Star Wars chimera. Both sides could halt testing right now while they negotiate the details of the INF treaty. Purposeful negotiations for a balance and reduction of con ventional weapons have to follow Too many of the world's resources are devoured by the military moloch. The House of Representatives already has voted to implement many of the steps for arms limitations, but the president Oregon Daily Emerald The Oregon Only Emerald Is published Monday through Friday aicapt during exam week and vacation* by tha Oregon Daily Emaratd Publishing Co. at the University of Oregon. Eugene. Oregon. 97403 The Emerald operates independently of the University with offices on the third floor of the Ert> Memorial Union and is a member of the Associated Press The Emerald is private property The unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable by law General Staff Advertising Director Susan Thelen Production Manager Michele Ross Classified Manager Kelli Mason Assistant to the Publisher Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Ten Boring, Gary DeLossa. Tom Leech. Catherine LHla. Rick Mart*. Laura McKinney. Heather Mull. Joann Nelson. Julie Paul. Barbara Rogers. Scott Thorklldeon, Joan Wlldermuth Editor Managing Editor Nawa Editor Editorial Pag* Editor* Sport* Editor Photo Editor Graphic Daaign Editor Spaciai laauea Editor Entartainmant/Sportt Segment Editor Night Editor Stan lay Nalaon Scott Maban Eden God bay Angara Muntz: Steven Hoaniach Aaron Knox Shu Shing Chan Lorraine Rath Katty Kortakaaa H C Hutto Edan God bay Aaaodat* Editor* Community Staphan Mahar Hlghar Education/Admimatralton Michaal Drummond Studant Government / Acltvttie* Carolyn Lam barton Ganaral A»»ignm*nt Entertainment Will Holbart Reporter*: Batay Clayton. Paula Groan. Praia da Guzman. Craig Ham*. Gary Horuay. Andrew LaMar. Jett Morgan, In grid Pataraan. Cami Swan ton. Kahnn Waa Photographer*: Shartyn Biorkgian Marta Corvallta Andy Cnpa.Duaty Etzai Darrel Hawitt, John Giuatma. Bobbie Lo Roa* Martin, Andr* Ramon. Dan Whaalar. Michael Wilhelm Production: Sandra Daller / Ad Coordinator Kelly Alexandra Romem Nicola Aanton. Virginia Banutga. Laura Carhart. Elian Croat Eva Cohan. Stephanie Dry nan Dolor a* Farrao. Shannon Oarthar Liaa Haggerty Staphamo Holland. Dairdra Kelly. Ellol Knight. Chna Knot. Jung Lea. Bobbta Lo. Roaa Martin. Jama* Maaon Angia Muniz. Tad Shaplar. Linda Sparling. Liaa Svanavik. ingnd White. Mika Wilhelm. Kelly WHiiamt. Serena William*, X Kang Xla has threatened to veto them. Hob Pack wood canceled Sen. Hatfield's vote four times by voting for SOI funding, against the SALT II threaty limit, against a continued bilateral ban of Anti-Satallite weapons (ASAT), a part of Star Wars, and against Hatfield's own amend ment to severely limit nuclear weapons testing that drives the arms race. Pack wood voted with the majority for a conser vative interpretation of Anti Ballistic Missile treaty (ABM), thus barring SDI tests that would violate this treaty. The Senate joined the House on this issue in limiting, for now. another frightful spiral in the arms race. As local representatives of a worldwide group of physicians who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985 for public educa tion on the dangers of nuclear arms, we express our thanks and graditude to Sen. Hatfield and to our Rep. Peter DeFazio for their commitment to peace and stability. Hans U. Tscheraich. M.D. President. Physicians for Social Rasposibility Eugene chapter Generalizations This concerns Blake Louis Sliter's letter pertaining to Margaret Thompson's unfor tunate bicycle accident (ODE, Oct 14). To generalize the Greek system as a whole by saying that the two men at question here represent the entire Greek system is not only absurd but is a perfect example of the type of Letter* Policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters containing fair comment on topics of interest to the University community Letters to the editor mutt be limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length or style closed mindedness that brings about Greek'non-Greek clashes I. as I’m sure the rest of the Greek system does, take great offense to your malicious statements made in the Emerald. "Tear their limbs from their bodies and while they writhe in agony eat some of their flesh. .is quite a pro found statement, but I feel it has absolutely no justification. The Greek system has no desire to start trouble with the non-Greek population on cam pus, and to come to verbal blows is no solution to this pro blem. What I suggest is that Mr Sliter and his proponents take a good objective look at the Greek system on the inside, and avoid using the actions of two men to pass judgement on all of us. Then. AND ONLY THEN, can Mr. Sliter justify such a verbal assault. Frank Hanson Sophomore Keep the space My hats off in praise and ap preciation to Frale de Guzman and Shelly Kehin for their ex cellent and informative articles on Womenspace. It certainly was refreshing to see two articles on such an im portant organization. Unfor tunately, domestic violence and other forms of violence against women are all too common in this largely patriarchal society we live in. and people need to know that places such as Womenspace exist (even though it is such a sad thing that there is such a need for them). 1 also would like to say "thank you” to the woman who shared her experience as a trap ped and haltered woman in a destructive relationship. It's great to know that she is devoting most of her time to other women in the same situation. Keep up the good work! The woman's movement needs all the press it can get. Amy Brickell English