“Do you feel safe in Connecticut?”
It’s a question I ask almost everyone I talk to. Sometimes, the answer is “yes.” Too many times, the answer is “not anymore.”
Public safety is a genuine concern for all of us. Too often, unlocked cars (and many times, even locked cars!) are cleaned out or, worse, stolen right out of the driveway – and the car’s owner is blamed.
Just this month, the town of Newington saw its first drive-by shooting, which nearly ended in tragedy. We do not have to accept this. Compassion has become misplaced and directed only toward those committing wrongful acts and not people who have been victims. The majority party has voted too many times to protect criminals, and that often victimizes victims all over again!
If you’re tired of seeing criminals walk the streets unafraid of consequences while police officers have their hands tied and working Americans are sentenced to a life of fear, there is something you can do. You can vote for me.
Here are the crime reduction priorities I will focus on when I am elected:
Criminal Penalties
Keep violent criminals locked up, with no discussion of parole or early release until at least 75% of the original sentence has been served.
Keep NY/LA style district attorneys out of Connecticut. In New York state, residents and businesses can be victimized multiple times on the same day thanks to District Attorneys who refuse to enforce the law and champion soft-on-crime policies that are exacerbating the rise in crime that we’re witnessing. Law abiding residents pay their taxes to be protected. As stated earlier, while compassion for those who commit crimes should be considered, it cannot supersede the rights of those in our communities who deserve to live safely, prosper, and raise families. Additionally, bail reform and no cash bail policies have been proven not to work.
Make criminals pay – literally. Non-violent offenders should be kept out of jail whenever possible. But they should still pay for their crimes to deter others. I propose that a financial component is added to all sentences.
Violent Crimes - 10x - 20x+ any health costs incurred by the victim & pay/income lost due to being unable to function after attack.
Property & Petty Crimes - 3x - 5x any losses suffered including pay/income lost
These fines would be considered criminal not civil so the victim still would have the opportunity to sue and receive recompense. Fines cannot be discharged through bankruptcy, etc. They remain in perpetuity until paid in full. If a perpetrator and/or their family receives state aid, that aid will be cut by 25%, with that money put into a fund by the state for the victim & paid out monthly.
EXAMPLES
We are seeing an astounding number of juvenile offenders in Connecticut’s cities and towns. It’s important to reintroduce young people to the concepts of “right” and “wrong”. We can do that by:
Eliminating the 6-hour cap on holding repeat offenders. Instead of a “catch, release, repeat” policy, Connecticut would implement a “scared straight, jr.” approach. Let young offenders see what awaits them if they pursue a path of crime. We need to make it abundantly clear that being in prison isn’t a good option for life.
Staffing juvenile detention centers with proper staff fully focused on rehabilitation. Mental health and substance abuse counselors should play a role in helping young offenders see a better way of life.
Expand/re-focus mental health and addiction services
In the last budgeting session, a bipartisan agreement was reached to expand the network of facilities for those suffering from mental health and substance abuse services. But with a mere 14 mental health urgent care facilities opened, we are not yet close to helping those who need it most. And self-harm avoidance kits that are being handed out aren’t the answer. We must do a better job of providing the services of advocates and social workers to those most at risk. We have State employees dedicated to helping – let’s retrain them on new intervention methods to begin really making a difference in the areas of mental health and addiction.
Repeal and re-think the “Police Accountability Act.” Instead of proactively punishing all police officers as the PAA does, we must focus on the needs of police officers as they strive to provide safer communities for those who abide by the rule of law. Top-of-the-line body cams, body armor, and mental health professionals should all be part of the new Police Reinforcement Act.
Financial consequences like these have never been more important. Once criminals and their enabling family members become aware that they will suffer financially by a factor of 10+ for the crimes they or their kids, husbands, wives, etc. commit, we will see the crime rate fall precipitously. There must be no loopholes to escape criminal debt, and no way for criminals and their families to dodge payment until the debt is paid in full or their estates are emptied by payment of the debt after death.
Re-visit our methods for holding juvenile offenders accountable.
We are seeing an astounding number of juvenile offenders in Connecticut’s cities and towns. It’s important to reintroduce young people to the concepts of “right” and “wrong. We can do that by:
Eliminating the 6-hour cap on holding repeat offenders. Instead of a “catch, release, repeat” policy, Connecticut would implement a “scared straight, jr.” approach. Let young offenders see what awaits them if they pursue a path of crime. We need to make it abundantly clear that being in prison isn’t a good option for life.
·Staffing juvenile detention centers with proper staff, fully focused on rehabilitation. Mental health and substance abuse counselors should play a role in helping young offenders see a better way of life.
Expand/re-focus mental health and addiction services
In the last budgeting session, a bipartisan agreement was reached to expand the network of facilities for those suffering from mental health and substance abuse services. But with a mere 14 mental health urgent care facilities opened, we are not yet close to helping those who need it most. And self-harm avoidance kits that are being handed out aren’t the answer. We must do a better job of providing the services of advocates and social workers to those most at risk. We have State employees dedicated to helping – let’s retrain them on new intervention methods to begin really making a difference in the areas of mental health and addiction.
Repeal and re-think the “Police Accountability Act.” Instead of proactively punishing all police officers as the PAA does, we must focus on the needs of police officers as they strive to provide safer communities for those who abide by the rule of law. Top of the line body cams, body armor and mental health professionals should all be parts of the new Police Reinforcement Act.