Aaron Marsh
Chapter 13 Discussion
Failing to notify residents about area robberies poses significant risks and undermines both
public safety and the effectiveness of the investigative process. When residents are left
uninformed, they cannot take necessary precautions to protect themselves or their businesses.
This lack of information can increase the vulnerability of individuals who may unknowingly
put themselves in dangerous situations, such as working alone late at night in locations prone
to robberies. Public awareness can act as a preventative measure, encouraging both citizens
and businesses to enhance their security practices.
With reference to the investigations, the absence of community notice may make it more
difficult to obtain useful leads. Residents and business owners are less likely to report
suspicious activities or any leads that could help law enforcement when they are not aware of
current criminal activity. Since prompt information can assist police in seeing trends, tracking
down suspects, and establishing links between crimes, public involvement is crucial to
investigations (Charles Swanson, n.d.). Furthermore, when community members are aware
that their region has been targeted, they can adopt proactive security steps to lessen the
impact and frequency of such attacks.
Business owners can take several steps to protect themselves, including installing silent
alarms and security cameras, implementing a secure lock system that restricts access after
certain hours, and ensuring no employee works alone during late shifts. In high-risk locations,
business owners might consider training employees on emergency response procedures and
clearly marking the locations of silent alarms (Ferrise et al., 2014). Strengthening security
measures in collaboration with local law enforcement can provide a safer environment for
employees and deter potential criminals.
In this instance, it seems that the victims and their families were not adequately protected by
the criminal justice system. For instance, the protracted court case and several trials in
Marshall's case, including the mistrials and the reversal of his death sentence, have probably
contributed to the pain experienced by the family. A system that occasionally falls short of
providing prompt justice is exemplified by the many delays and perceived inadequacies in
obtaining justice, such as the incorrect jury instructions and a mishandled witness statement.
In addition, the community's worries about insufficient protection and the lack of notice point
to a failure to give priority to preventive steps that may protect locals (Charles Swanson,
n.d.). The families' demands for harsher punishments and improved workplace safety
highlight the necessity of taking a more aggressive stance in guaranteeing prompt justice in
violent crimes as well as public safety.
References
Charles Swanson. (n.d.). Criminal Investigation, Third Edition | Office of Justice Programs.
Www.ojp.gov. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/criminal-investigation-
third-edition
Ferrise, A., clevel, & .com. (2014, February 12). Violent restaurant robberies evoke memories of
similar rash in 1996, when 3 workers were killed in 10 days (photo gallery). Cleveland.
https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2014/02/violent_restaurant_robberies_e.html
