Carolina Footsteps June 2018 Web Opt

14 LOCAL WRITERS
DOCTOR CRIME
Dr. Crime is a pseudonym for a social scientist holding a Ph.D. degree in sociology and in criminology.
He has worked in all major parts of the criminal justice system. Drop him a note at the
website www.keepkidshome.net if you or your child is in trouble, or you have custody issues, he
may be able to help, give him a call (252-339-0000).
Dear Dr. Crime: It seems that every time I cut on the TV
another school shooting is reported. Your reporting on
kids killing kids in school doesn’t tell me enough about
how much there is and if I should take my kids out of public
school. I see the local newspaper just ran an editorial
saying “Eventually a school shooting will come to N.C.”
Tell us how likely it is my kids will be in a shooting. Typical
Parents.
Dear Typical Mom and Dad: I suspect your emotions are
more common than any of us know. Parents have been
given many frightening reports. The amount of research
and statistics are massive because of the extremely
widespread concern for our children. I refer you to a free
download “Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2016”
from the National Center for Education Statistics and the
Bureau of Justice Statistics. Go to https://nces.ed.gov/
pubs2017/2017064.pdf and let me what you think.
Dear Dr. Crime: I am a politician. I need to know the best
government policy to reduce school shootings and make
our schools safe again. No-name fellow.
Dear No-Name: I wish more politicians would ask for
advice from non-governmental researchers. I refer you
fi rst to the current issue of the American Journal of Criminal
Justice (Vol. 43, #1, Spring 2018) devoted entirely to
“School Safety: Increasing Understanding/Decreasing
Misunderstanding in the Realm of School Safety”. Moreover,
I encourage the government to create a statewide
body devoted only to a review of the scientifi c literature
on school safety. That group should provide to all county
Boards of Education and county managers periodic
reviews of what works and what does not work, and why.
The group should be independent of government so as
to be free of infl uence. The issue is more complex than it
fi rst appears.
Dear Dr. Crime: You are so full of bunk. Research heck!
I know how to keep kids in line, about anything. You
smack them, hard and often and right away. That will stop
the bad behavior! They will get the idea of what is right
and grow up well. Typical Dad
Dear Typical Dad: Many people agree with you. I agree
that some behaviors can be handled as you say, particularly
the part about the time lapse between the bad
behavior and your response. Punishment or reward has
to be quick to be linked with the child’s behavior. I am
far more in favor of rewarding good behavior than simply
punishing bad behavior. The May, 2018 issue of WebMD
(see your physician’s office for a copy) has a review of
what the research shows the impact of spanking children
has on them. The report shows that the majority of parents
agree with you to a large degree. BUT, the research
shows that spanking causes problems later in life. Citing
good research, the report indicated that corporal punishment
was associated with violence with a date, attempted
suicide, heavy drinking, drug use, depression, aggression,
and family fi ghts. And a review of 75 research studies
found no evidence spanking improved children’s behavior,
but taught them how not to get caught. If you have a child
go to WebMD.com and see the “alternatives to spanking”.
TYRRELL COUNTY
Blue Crabs
By: Jimmy Fleming
If one commodity has been exploited to the fullest in
Tyrrell County and eastern North Carolina over the
past 30 years it’s the amazing Blue Crab. From back in the
early days where they were caught on trot lines or hand
lines to today where they are caught using large baited
pots (traps). The blue crab is common in most eastern NC
waters but the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds account for
most of the commercial harvest which exceeds 20 million
pounds per year.
Male crabs are called a Jimmy and female crabs are
called sooks or she-crabs depending on their age.. A
female crab with an egg mass attached to her body is
called a sponge crab and she can spawn twice in her life
releasing up to two million eggs each time. There are many
watermen in our area who make their living catching blue
crabs starting in early spring and into late fall depending
on market price and number of available crabs. In order to
grow, blue crabs must shed their shell up to 25 times during
their lives. During this time the old hard shell is replaced
with a new very soft shell that will gradually harden.
These softshell crabs are a delicacy that are harvested
and eagerly consumed by by locals and visitors alike. The
blue crab is not just for commercial harvest. Many locals
and visitors enjoy setting a crab trap or dangling a line
baited with a chicken wing to catch a mess of crabs. Most
of these end up in a pot of boiling water seasoned with
a good bit of Old Bay Seasoning. Any way you look at it,
commercial or sport, the blue crab is a welcome part of
eastern North Carolina’s marine environment. This summer,
enjoy some fresh softshells or a delicious crab boil …
cause they’re goooooooood!!!!
June 2018