Stepping up enforcement: Roundup of 60 probation violators in Wake Co. shows Perdue means business

Gov. Bev Perdue's administration should be applauded for recent progress made overhauling North Carolina's crumbling probation system.

Recent successes in Wake County indicate the administration's policies have begun to take effect.

According to The (Raleigh) News & Observer authorities in Wake County arrested 60 probation violators this past week during an operation to crack down on the high number of individuals who have been evading officers.

The new administration's aggressive endeavor to crack down on evaders and equip law enforcement with the necessary tools to track absconders demonstrates its dedication to keeping North Carolinians safe.

This reform has been long overdue.

 In December further investigations by The (Raleigh) News & Observer revealed deep flaws in the probation system. About 13000 probationers were unaccounted for. Since 2000 580 probationers had committed manslaughter or murder.

Efforts by authorities to track down probation violators are particularly meaningful to the UNC community.

Over a year has passed since former student body president Eve Carson's death.

The two men charged with her murder Lawrence Lovette and Demario Atwater received inadequate attention from their probation officers.

Lovette had never seen his probation officer in person. And Atwater was under the purview of 10 probation officers in three years and went four months without being seen by anyone.

A statewide roundup of probation offenders like Atwater and Lovette should have occurred long ago.

But finally something is being done.

A strong renewed effort by Perdue's administration to crack down on evaders shows that the governor understands the severe implications of having thousands of unchecked criminals roaming around the state.

Now that authorities have better access to information and tracking abilities Wake County is producing positive results.

We hope that other county-wide efforts to lasso offenders will soon be underway.