The anti-crime initiative was introduced in October by State Senator George Runner and his wife, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner. The measure is drawing support from Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims and the author of the three-strikes law Mike Reynolds.

But the bill has it's critics, who say it significantly increases spending and could put a strain on California's already crowded prison system.

The anti-crime initiative is called the safe neighborhoods act.
It's backed by three strikes author and Fresno resident Mike Reynolds and Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims.

Both Reynolds and Mims are calling it the most important anti-crime initiative in California history. The two spoke about the measure during Sunday’s “Radio Detective Program” with Jerry Pearce on KBIF.

“We need to start now in educating the public about something they're gonna have a chance to vote on here in the near future. It’s very important to public safety, its very important to Fresno county, and that's why I'm here today, “ said Sheriff Mims.

The initiative stiffens prison penalties, with terms doubled for gang related crimes and four-year sentences for possession or sale of methamphetamine.

It also provides anti-crime funding to the tune of almost $1 billion annually, with $250 million earmarked for local law enforcement programs and the rest to finance regional gang task forces, witness protection, GPS devices for gang members and other crime prevention programs.

Reynolds said, “This goes through those very carefully and especially with gangs and closes a lot of the loopholes they've found. This will do more to stop crime than anything we've seen since 3 strikes.”

The initiative also provides for alternative housing for inmates in local facilities.
In 2006 some Fresno county inmates had to be released from the jail because of overcrowding.

Sheriff Mims says with the jail now at 87 percent capacity, it's just a matter of time before overcrowding becomes an issue once again.

“We need to make sure we lock people up, we keep them in facilities and this measure provides those facilities, as long as they meet the health codes and standards then it's good enough for inmates,” Mims said.

But there is opposition to the measure, with Senate President pro tem Don Perata and Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez speaking out against the bill.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a spokesman for Nunez referred to the plan as "ballot box budgeting, which will put even more pressure on our already overcrowded prisons.”

But Reynolds has confidence that the initiative will become law.
“Certainly criminals are gonna hate this...but frankly I think the general public that's concerned about the safety of their children and themselves and their neighborhoods are gonna vote overwhelmingly for this.”

Supporters of the initiative still need to gather 435,000 signatures by April 2008 to qualify the measure for the November 2008 ballot.