A core role we have assigned to our government in America is to secure the rights of its citizens, including protections from those who may otherwise do them harm.
Leaders and elected officials need to remember that if we want our communities to thrive, crime cannot be tolerated. Until we are willing to tackle this challenge, I fear we will continue to see a diminished standard of living in many of our vulnerable neighborhoods.
I’m Senator Rob Hutton. Along with my Republican colleagues in the State Senate, we have focused on making our communities safer through sensible public policy.
We’ve passed legislation to help police recruit and retain officers and slow the revolving door of the justice system so police aren’t constantly re-arresting the same offenders.
While those bills were vetoed, a recent ballot measure approved directly by the voters allows judges to impose tougher bail. That is a good start.
We will revisit this agenda in the next session and push for reforms for our juvenile justice system so that violent youth who repeatedly victimize others are held accountable.
I am encouraged by efforts of several legitimate organizations in our community who are dedicated to work with our troubled youth. These organizations need our support as well.
Meanwhile, crime remains a problem. The statistics on homicides, car thefts, organized retail theft and reckless driving are troubling. Especially troubling is that in far too many cases, innocent children are the victims.
I am optimistic both parties can and will work on solutions to these problems. Ensuring safe neighborhoods for our families to work and play cannot be a partisan issue.
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