FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Jana Saastad
Thursday, June 19, 2008	Phone: (916) 337-7098

SENATOR RUNNER AND LOCAL LEADERS DISCUSS SOLUTIONS FOR SACRAMENTO’S GANG VIOLENCE

SACRAMENTO – State Senator George Runner (R-Antelope Valley) joined local law enforcement leaders and victim advocates today to discuss solutions to Sacramento’s escalating gang violence, including current public safety and community efforts and a statewide anti-gang initiative slated for the November ballot.  

“Gang violence has become an increasing problem for Sacramento citizens and law enforcement agencies, not unlike what every other California community is experiencing,” said Senator Runner, a co-author of the anti-gang measure known as the Safe Neighborhoods Act. “Street gangs are largely responsible for the disturbing rise in California homicides in recent years.”

Senator Runner was joined by Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness, Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Anthony Ortiz, Yolo County Chief Probation Officer Don Meyer, John Sample, Sacramento City Police Department Gang Detective and crime victims’ advocate William Beane, Sr.

“Gangs have compromised our criminal justice system in Sacramento, routinely threatening and assaulting victims, witnesses and even judges,” McGinness said. “It’s time for the state and local leaders to come together to target gang offenders and discuss comprehensive solutions to combat this growing epidemic.”

Runner discussed the Safe Neighborhoods Act, which is a comprehensive anti-gang and crime reduction measure that will bring more cops and increased safety to our streets and greater efficiency and accountability to public safety programs and agencies that spend taxpayer money.

The petitions for the initiative were submitted to each of California’s counties in late April for signature verification. Once the signatures are verified by the county Registrar of Voters, the Safe Neighborhoods Act will be placed on the November ballot.

“We are confident that this measure will qualify for the ballot and we are equally certain the voters of California will approve the Safe Neighborhoods Act in November,” said Runner, who also co-authored Jessica’s Law with his wife, Assemblywoman Sharon Runner in 2006.

Some of the provisions of the Safe Neighborhoods Act would do the following:

• Increase penalties for felons and gang members with guns;
• Heighten penalties for criminal accomplices;
• Prohibit bail for illegal aliens charged with violent or gang crimes;
• Strengthen Section 8 Housing compliance;
• Toughen laws for methamphetamine distribution and sales;
• Protect witness testimony;
• Punish smugglers of prison contraband;
• Create a statewide gang registry;
• Establish the “Use a gun and lose a car” law;
• Create the Early Intervention & Rehabilitation Commission;
• Allow counties (that are under federal court order to release jail inmates) to operate temporary jail facilities;
• Impose felony penalties on serial graffiti offenders.

Learn more at www.safeneighborhoodsact.com

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