Columns

Measures get tough on crime

Week recognizes rights of victims

Missourians work hard and play by the rules. Unfortunately, a few people choose to break the rules that the rest of us live by and commit crimes. In honor of National Crime Victims Rights Week, April 10-16, we should redouble our efforts to get tough on crime by passing legislation that will honor crime victims and make our communities safer.

We can begin by repealing a law that gives drug dealers, drunken drivers, child molesters and other criminals the right to seek release from prison after serving only 120 days of their sentences. These so-called "nonviolent" offenders should serve all of their time.

Legislation I’ve sponsored - House Bills 49 and 50 - would keep these criminals behind bars where they belong and deprive them of the chance to be released from prison early.

We can also do more to protect the most unfortunate and youngest crime victims - our children. We should cherish the innocent. Unfortunately, Gov. Matt Blunt has proposed closing centers that allow law enforcement officials to get the evidence they need to prosecute child molesters and others who abuse children. These Child Assessment Centers, such as Rainbow House in Columbia, offer young victims a safe environment in which they can provide prosecutors vital information without being re-victimized by a difficult process.

I’ve also proposed legislation - House Bill 389 - that would help our state fight methamphetamine and further protect our children. This bill, which is part of House Democrats’ Missouri Without Meth proposal, will create the crime of child endangerment for criminals who make meth in a residence where a child lives. Too often, children are put at risk by the presence of a meth lab in their homes. We must make these criminals think twice before exposing a child to these explosive and poisonous substances.

Finally, I’ve offered a proposal - House Bill 773 - that would deny bail to chronic methamphetamine producers and other drug users. We know that an arrest often isn’t enough to deter drug dealers and users from committing more crimes. A Lincoln County man, while out on bail on a meth charge, broke into a home to make more meth. A simple arrest obviously didn’t deter him. Our bill is modeled after a successful Oklahoma law that has led to a decrease in meth use in that state. Once a meth cooker is arrested, communities should be protected from that person until justice is served.

Missourians should honor crime victims during Crime Victims Rights Week by working to reduce the number of lives ruined by crime. By passing our legislation, we will make our state a safer place to live, work and raise a family.