The Exponent - opinions


08-28-2003	Previous edition: 08-27-2003

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Thieves should return pigs in exchange for amnesty

The Tippecanoe County prosecutor is offering amnesty to the perpetrators involved in the theft of four fiberglass pigs in and around Downtown Lafayette this summer.

Until Sept. 1, prosecutor Jerry Bean will not subject those who stole the pigs to prosecution if the pigs are returned. The pigs were part of the Hog Wild! public art project that began in May benefiting CASAs for Kids Inc. and the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette.

If the thieves do not return the pigs by Sept. 1 and are later apprehended, they will face theft charges, which is a Class D felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The fiberglass pigs, which were attached to 300-pound concrete slabs, were decorated and sponsored locally, and many of the pigs — including three of the stolen pigs — will go up for auction on Sept. 13 to benefit the local causes.

Thus far, no one has come forward with the pigs or information leading to the pigs, said Bean, but he said he remains cautiously optimistic that they'll get at least some of the pigs back.

Amnesty, said Bean, has not been offered by the Tippecanoe County prosecutor's office in recent years but has been offered in the past for bad check cases.

It's disappointing that someone felt the need to steal four fiberglass pigs in the first place — especially knowing that they were to benefit worthwhile local causes. And it's slightly disheartening to know law enforcement officials have been unable to locate four large fiberglass pigs. But regardless, officials are urging the perpetrators, or anyone who might have any information about the missing pigs, to contact the Lafayette Police Department at 476-4045 or the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette at 742-1128.

After Sept. 1, the Lafayette Police Department will continue to run down leads, said Bean, who hopes the situation is not altogether malicious, that it's just a prank.

"It's a win-win situation," said Bean of the amnesty proposal. "The individual gets out of a felony charge, the pig is returned and auctioned for good causes."

The perpetrators might have thought it was "cute" to have stolen fiberglass pigs, but how "cute" do you think you'll appear to fellow inmates if you actually have to go to prison for the theft of the pigs? It makes sense for the perpetrators to take advantage of this rare offer; they escape prosecution, no questions asked, and local causes will reap the benefits of local artists' benevolent work.

Amnesty, in this case, may truly be a "win-win" proposition.

The Editorial Board is: Jason Tomcsi, Matt Poston, Tom McHenry, Yuri Victor, Michael Williams

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