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Los Angeles County is less safe today. "L.A. County Sheriff Lee Baca released 343 nonviolent offenders from the county jail system this week, well before they had served their full sentences. The Sheriffs Department says that budget cuts have forced changes to a longtime policy requiring inmates to serve at least 80 percent of their time before release. Now, those jailed for crimes such as check kiting, petty theft, and drunk driving will serve just 50 percent of their sentences."
It is time to force government to prioritize safety. "Cops know that many people serving time for nonviolent offenses may also have committed violent crimes for which they did not get caught. And even the nonviolent offenses are worrisome, says Jack Pitney, political scientist at Claremont McKenna College. Petty theft may not be so petty if the victim is a poor person. Drunk driving can kill people. More important, early release undermines deterrence.
Criminals are laughing, while honest families are fearful. Another failure of government.
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It is time to force government to prioritize safety. "Cops know that many people serving time for nonviolent offenses may also have committed violent crimes for which they did not get caught. And even the nonviolent offenses are worrisome, says Jack Pitney, political scientist at Claremont McKenna College. Petty theft may not be so petty if the victim is a poor person. Drunk driving can kill people. More important, early release undermines deterrence.
Criminals are laughing, while honest families are fearful. Another failure of government.
More...