Whether California faces rosy or gloomy times, we must always make public safety the No. 1 priority. If our streets, parks and schools aren't safe from gang violence and other crimes, then nothing else really matters.
For us in San Benito County, Democratic members of the Budget Conference Committee have approved deep cuts to public safety programs including the Citizens Option for Public Safety (COPS), which provides for front-line law enforcement, and the Juvenile Justice Crime Prevention Act (JJCPA) while altogether eliminating several vital programs such as California's Methamphetamine Interdiction Program (CALMMET) and the Small and Rural County Sheriffs Grant Program.
Combined with a proposed corrections package that puts some offenders back out on the streets without supervision, these cuts will significantly exacerbate the ability of law enforcement to provide essential public safety services. These programs are critical in preventing our most at-risk youths from joining gangs, getting involved in drugs, and entering a lifetime of crime.
Therefore, we must secure public safety funding so we can work locally to protect the streets of our communities and not rely on Sacramento as they continue to demonstrate a lack of regard for our needs as it relates to your safety. That's why I support Proposition 6 - the Safe Neighborhoods Act - which protects and secures funding for public safety in any type of budget environment.
In addition to protecting important gang prevention and intervention funding, this initiative prohibits bail to illegal aliens who are charged with violent or gang crimes; it creates tougher punishment for gang crimes, drive-by shootings, methamphetamine distribution and victim intimidation; it helps victims who have been intimidated by gang criminals and it funds victim-witness protection programs in our communities.
To learn more:
To learn more about Proposition 6 - the Safe Neighborhoods Act, please visit the web site at: www.SafeNeighborhoodsAct.com. Click on "Join the Fight" and "Contributions" to help make this initiative become law. All of us deserve to feel secure in our homes and communities and to know that law enforcement has the resources it needs to keep us safe.
Curtis Hill Curtis Hill is the sheriff for San Benito County. You can reach him at cwo4mgr@yahoo.com.
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