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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Jana Saastad
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| Thursday, April 24, 2008 |
Phone: (916) 337-7098
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REYNOLDS, LOCAL LEADERS SUBMIT PETITIONS FOR GANG INITIATIVE TO COUNTY REGISTRAR Safe Neighborhoods Act targeted for November Ballot Today across California’s 58 counties, over 700,000 signatures are being turned in to qualify the hardest hitting crime initiative since 3-Strikes and You’re Out. The Safe Neighborhoods Act will do for gun and gang crime what 3-Strikes has done for repeat serious and violent criminals. Safe Neighborhoods uses a 3 prong attack of tougher laws, cheaper jails and more funding for public safety without raising taxes.
“When it comes to punks with guns, they’ve got to be stopped the first time. You can’t wait for 3-Strikes,” said Mike Reynolds, father of 3-Strikes. Reynolds was joined by Fresno County Sheriff Mims, Fresno City Police Chief Jerry Dyer, Fresno County District Attorney Egan, Fresno Mayor Autry and Fresno County Chairperson Debbie Poochigian.
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;
- Create the DISARM program, so that local law enforcement agencies can focus resources on their highest-risk probationers.
Election departments throughout California’s 58 counties will receive over 700,000 (seven hundred thousand) signatures of crime concerned citizens to place the Safe Neighborhoods Act on this November’s ballot.
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