Indifference That Can Kill

Despite these convictions, announced in news releases from the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, no city official makes a big deal about the incidents.

"People steal."

But let a scheme as large in scope and as audacious as the property tax refund scam get emblazoned across the front pages and city leaders get all hot and bothered, as if they really care about rot in the government's foundation.

Their record tells another story.

Their inattention and indifference are not limited to the city's finances.

There's the matter of deceased District residents Cortez Durrell Lilly, 17, and Deanthony M. Henson, 20.

At their deaths, both were under the jurisdiction of the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services.

Lilly was killed in July when a stolen motorcycle on which he was riding collided with a pickup truck. The driver fled the scene but was caught and charged in the accident.

Henson was found fatally shot last Friday, the city's 166th homicide victim this year.

Lilly had been in the juvenile justice system since age 14. Last February he was committed to the care and custody of Youth Rehabilitation Services until age 21.

Much good that did.

Henson was also committed to the jurisdiction of Youth Rehabilitation Services until age 21. He, too, though, was back on the streets and is dead.