Advocates of the Maine Constitution should note that the primary responsibility of government is public safety, the safety of our fellow residents. Domestic violence homicides account for 50 percent of all murders in Maine.

Solon, the Athenian statesman and lawmaker of ancient Greece, is quoted as having said that justice will prevail only “if those who are not injured feel as much indignation as those who are.”

When a community decides that it will not tolerate certain behaviors it usually has been motivated by the actions of those who have been most affected. I hope that we can all recognize and commend Kelly Gay, Ralph and Linda Bagley, their families and friends, who turned their anguish into action, in the relentless pursuit of using electronic proximity devices to contain high-risk domestic violence perpetrators, and warn abuse victims.

Thanks to their efforts and the wisdom of Maeghan Maloney, district attorney for Somerset and Kennebec counties; Dale Lancaster, chief deputy, and the Somerset County Domestic Violence Task Force, the use of electronic proximity monitoring devices will provide the earliest possible warning of a potentially deadly encounter with an determined abuser, a person who has been identified by the Court to be a high risk. Lives will be saved.

Art Jette

Cambridge

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