While some, perhaps many, believe that we have spent too much time discussing the Sam Eshagoff matter, the scandal raises such important social issues that I am compelled to write another letter.
When a teenager commits a non-violent crime, society needs to determine how he/she should be punished; how best to teach him/her a valuable life lesson. The reality is that teaching a valuable life lesson through community service will provide a greater benefit to society in the long run than the “quick fix” of jail. And my gut tells me that the privileged Sam Eshagoff would view significant community service as “punishment” and yet at the same time perhaps he might learn from it.
What would Eshagoff learn in prison…that crime doesn’t pay? That is too simple. Eshagoff, and the rest of our children in Great Neck need to be taught by their parents and community leaders how lucky they are. At an early age they need to be reminded over and over again to help others who are less fortunate. Eshagoff and our children need to understand that in most communities teens do not drive Mercedes and BMWs to school. Making sure our children understand this is our responsibility to our children and to society.
Eshagoff should be required to tutor underprivileged children living in the poorest sections of Long Island to see how lucky he has been. Perhaps 1,000 hours; perhaps more.
His “punishment” should be to use his God-given intelligence to help others. Perhaps he may learn something along the way. The money he received should be put into school systems in communities that do not enjoy the benefits that our children enjoy by going to schools here. He should be required to work at soup kitchens (and all our children should see them as well) so he and our children understand that not only are there are children with no Droids and Ipads, but there are children who live in families that can’t afford food.
Appropriate and significant community service will absolutely further society’s morals, ethics and responsibilities.
Stuart Dolgin
Great Neck
