Following the death of Patty Burgdoff, what can we as citizens do to be heard? I heard the question asked all day long as folks commented about the life taken so tragically and suddenly by an alleged drunken driver.

How can the driver charged with causing one death, seriously injuring three others and quite possibly jeopardizing the life of an unborn infant be back on the streets in less than 24 hours after taking the innocent life of an 8-year-old? Why was the bond no higher to keep someone like this off the streets? What can we as citizens do to voice our opinion regarding a legal system that can’t detain someone who police say caused a death by motor vehicle while under the influence, and they’re off the street for only a few hours?

With so many affected by the loss of such a special little girl, it felt like salt on the wounds to know the driver was back on the street faster than we could tell all of her friends that Patty was gone. What can we do?

— Sandy Overcash

China Grove