First, let’s acknowledge the unfortunate death of Yeardley Love. Too many times, political talk about crimes on campus drown out the victim.
George Huguely committed a cowardly act. He killed a woman. He is a coward and should be tried by the courts and get the appropriate punishment.
Fox News asks the question as to what the University of Virginia knew and didn’t know about Huguely off-campus activities… specifically, an incident in 2008 involving alcohol and violent behavior. (article here)
Should the University have known? Do we need another law?
The Clery Act is cited in these cases, but that law really addresses the school’s requirement to report crime on campus as a way to inform parents of potential risks and be more transparent – pressuring colleges and universities to be more accountable for their disciplinary (or lack thereof) actions.
Should the Clery Act or any other act require the University to know about an incident miles away?
I say No. Why? Because we have enough laws and I don’t want to see an expansion of our ever-growing police state. If the University wants to keep tabs on every student, then they should be responsible for soliciting the public records of every student. But requiring students to come forward, or further burdening police departments to notify any and all parties with a vested interest becomes bureaucratic and Orwellian.
I’m not a fan of violence, as a parent I feel for Yeardley Love, but I also recognize crime happens and I am unwilling to continue to sacrifice personal freedom for an unrealistic zero level of crime.
To truly prevent crime at UVA or in society, we’d have to report all potentially violent behavior to employers, schools, friends, families and possible acquaintances.
We get into a “Scarlet Letter” type scenario where everyone is so concerned about covering their backsides, that so much information is being passed, that it becomes noise to be ignored.
Should Mr. Huguely’s employer have been notified if the 2008 incident occurred while an employee instead of a student? How far do you want to take it?
And what is your responsibility for your own safety? Do we simply look for the possible perpetrators? Or, do we take more of a role in our personal protection?
We can vote away our freedom with good intention of prevention, but true prevention is for society to say nothing, do nothing and be nothing – so nothing bad can happen – not a price I’m willing to pay. Although, I have no doubt, as a parent, I’d gladly give up my personal freedom to have my murdered son or daughter back, I do not believe this is a principle for a society to adopt.
George Huguely allegedly committed a heinous crime against Yeardley Love. We have a legal system to handle that crime. He will be prosecuted and, if found guilty, appropriately sentenced.
