Free Republic

Hundreds of pom-poms and knitted items have been strung from trees and lampposts to help reduce the fear of crime in an area of Leicester. Leicestershire Police hope the "guerilla knitting" or "yarn bombing" will encourage more people to use Bede Park and Great Central Way. Some of the park's users told BBC Radio Leicester the items - including tree warmers - do not make them feel safer. But criminologist Charlotte Bilby said they could have a positive effect. 'Something silly' Ms Bilby, a senior lecturer in criminology at Northumbria University, said: "I think that making an area look cosier...

JERSEY CITY, NJ (PIX11)— Guns that may have taken lives before being seized by the NYPD will now provide the raw metal shaped into an angel of peace, Ray Kelly announced Tuesday. The police department will be handing over more than 800 illicit weapons to artist Lin Evola, who will shape the New York Peace Angel, a statue that will be placed at One Police Plaza. The announcement was made Tuesday at a press conference held at the Sims Metal Management recycling facility in Jersey City, where the weapons will be shredded and melted. Artist Lin Evola addressed the assembled...