Legislation dealing with stalkers is a much-needed move

It broke my heart to read a story several weeks ago about the Marlboro resident who has been stalked for the past 10 years of her life (“New Law Seeks to Stop Stalkers in Their Tracks,” News Transcript, Aug. 29, 2007).

Her story hit home for me because years ago I had a roommate who was being stalked, and when we moved to a new apartment we lived in constant fear that the stalker would discover our new address.

The police couldn’t do anything for my roommate, so I can relate to the frustration the Marlboro victim has felt for a decade of her life, during which the police could do nothing for her because the man never actually threatened her life. The part of the story that gave me the chills was that pictures from her home and yearbook were stolen.

The bill put forth by Assemblyman Mike Panter is one of the best pieces of policy I have seen in a long time.

Stalking is probably one of the most difficult crimes to detect, and most police officers have their hands tied by the law in these types of situations.

Mike Panter’s bill is a giant leap forward for the protection of women and stalking victims everywhere.

I applaud him for using the heartbreaking story of one woman to draft a bill that makes sense and will help put criminals away, and for using the input of local law enforcement officers to ensure that the bill is taken as far as possible.

Doris Lin Freehold Township