Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 12:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing will be safe around here before long,nothing.

Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Slap on the wrist and turned loose to do it all over again.

Posted by bayoubengalsfan (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What do you mean before long? Looks like nothing is safe now!

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Community has security guards. Where were they?

Posted by Natchezbear (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

They were probably smoking somewhere. They are the most smoking bunch of health care workers I have ever seen in my life!

Posted by brock (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Criminals in this country got it easy . If they did this in some eastern country these guys would surely lose a hand or head when they were brought to justice . Criminals living among us is not new . Civilizations have been trying to deal with them since the beginning of recorded history . I'm sure the caveman even stole . But still , America's criminals when compared to the justice doled out by other countries do have it made . This country does a poor job of dealing with it's criminals . This must stop , America also has the highest crime rates of all industrial countries . It's always the innocent who suffer as a result of criminals and their activities . This story is a perfect example . The owner of those vending machines probably depends on them for his living . Off with their hands !

Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yep brock...cut 'em off...just cut 'em slap off, I say. Since criminals feel no shame it wouldn't embarass him, only prevent him from future theiving. That's the only preventative, in my opinion, but since the do-gooders say it's wrong, even though it worked in the Biblical days and still today in some countries, it'll never happen in America.

That's just about the only Muslim law I agree with.

Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You have to wonder why people say that crime and punishment is so lax in this country. I think it is one of those social conventions we talk about for bonding.

Of course we could make prisons less humane. They look pretty disgusting to me already.

Since we already incarcerate a larger percentage of our population than any other country like us I wonder what folks would think we should do -- cut off their hands? Really?

Is there anyone out there who never stole a thing? I never knew them I don't think. How many fathers would have to see their own kids' hand cut off and then who pays their way? Oh I am thinking too much. Cut off their hands!!! If it is white collar theft we would probably just cut off their neckties.

From the modus operandi I would think the Trailer Park Boys did it. Ever see that show?

Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a recession and Natchez has shut out the careers.. Natchez has set itself up for this type of thing. Goooo Natchez... its good to see them reaping what they sewed!

Posted by pride (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeahuhuh I stole a toy from the local store when I was seven . My mom caught me and reported me to management . The manager didn't press charges but I was so embarrassed and never stole again since . Also I'm sure these individuals aren't advocating that children get their hands cut off . And I agree that criminals have it easy here . They have better medical care than free men . Think twice before coming to their aid . Also prisoners here have air conditioned cells . They have it easy ! It almost pays to be a criminal . Free meals and medical care and air conditioned cells . Yes they do have it easy .

Posted by Gimmeabreak (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I dislike a thief as much as the next person, but if you cut someone's hand off...they are permamently disabled and severly limited in their occupational opportunities, either in the private sector or in the penetentiary. They will more than likely end up on disability or in jail, both on the taxpayer dime.

And just because something occurred in biblical times doesnt mean it was right or a good idea. We dont stone people anymore, do we?

Posted by butch (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the U.S. did these barbaric practices some of these criminals are habitual . You'll be cutting off fingers , legs,arms,etc. until they would be nothing but a head and torso sitting in a corner somewhere . Even if you took every thing but their head and had it on some advanced life support they'll still be criminals . It's all in their head !

Posted by prettybrowneyedblackgirl (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 9:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, gimmeabreak cut their heads off, hands off and whatever body part they used to violate someone or something else that does not belong to them; then maybe they will stop violating others. As far as tax money goes to house them in jail or pay them disability I wouldn't give them jack?? if it was left up to me. If law enforcers need a good power saw to chop off those limbs I have one.

Posted by taylors234 (anonymous) on July 2, 2009 at 10:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I need to read the article again but it sounds like a lot of places to get away with crime without being caught. Possibly someone noticed something unusual but didn't act or act quickly enough on their instincts. Hopefully we will all do better about acting on instinct, taking down license numbers, or having suspicious people or circumstances checked out even if it's a just in case situation. Better safe than sorry. A motel, hospital, apartment so the circumstances are serious knowing with lack of security to that extent around town means people really do need to prepare to protect themselves fully in every possible way. If someone had walked up to the vending machines would they have been robbed too? The hospital doesn't have cameras or security? Considering that many businesses with no one caught during the process indicates a need for an awareness campaign exposing the actual extent of crime and lack of security. Natchez is such a lovely place. Finding solutions might be done by enlisting residents, businesses, and most importantly a mentality which refuses to accept the crime problem. There are more people interested in preventing or stopping crime which leaves the criminals outnumbered. If people are aware and realize the need to contribute (become more involved than in the past) that would likely be a good start.

Posted by juju (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 12:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Have you noticed that nowhere can people who get off of work after the post offices have closed get a stamp there anymore. There are no more stamp machines in post offices because of this. From yard tools, to churches, to vending machines. Can the police use their brains a little and stop and question suspicious people? In this case I would suspect they're coming from one of those cheap hotels in that area.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Can the police use their brains a little and stop and question suspicious people? In this case I would suspect they're coming from one of those cheap hotels in that area.

That would be called "profiling" and they can't do that anymore.

Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG -- I just love it when God-fearing Americans actually talk about cutting off hands like it was an option.

Security camera systems are cheap in today's world.

Posted by southernwoman (anonymous) on July 3, 2009 at 9:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Maybe we could just hang those petty thieves during Sunday morning church services - right down front where everyone could see. We could do it while the offering is being taken - and those non-tithers - we could just hang them right then and there - robbing God, don't you know.