But First, a Little Bit About Us
Hello my name is Amy Lobenberg and I am the social media manager for Crime Victims United of California. With me is the chair and co-founder of Crime Victims United, Harriet Salarno, and her administrative assistant, Robyn White.
We are here today to present to you the reasons why we oppose proposition 47, also known as the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act. Although the initiative has a deceivingly appealing name, we at CVU, along with state-wide law enforcement, district attorneys, other victim’s rights groups, women’s rights groups and business owners believe that Proposition 47 is anything but a safe plan for neighborhoods, schools and the communities that we live in.
But first, a little bit about us …
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Crime Victims United of Californiais the only organization of its kind — using education, legislative advocacy and political action to enhance public safety, promote effective crime-reduction measures and strengthen the rights of crime victims. For over three decades, CVU President Harriet Salarno has helped bring unprecedented changes to America’s criminal justice system, improving safety and security for all Americans.
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Harriet’s fight for justice began in 1979 after her daughter, Catina Rose Salarno, was shot execution style by her ex boyfriend during her first day of classes at University Of the Pacific.
In the years that followed, the Salarno family endured the frustrations of a criminal justice system that tilted too heavily toward preserving criminal rights while barely addressing the rights and needs of victims and victims’ families.
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Some of our most recent achievements are listed here. Harriet’s national leadership includes appearances on “Nightline” and “48 Hours” and as the subject of articles in Woman’s Day and Ladies Home Journal.
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Which brings us to Proposition 47 ...
As an organization that has advocated for victim’s rights and worked closely with state law enforcement for over 35 years, we cannot support Proposition 47.
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Here’s why …
Prop 47 will reduce the penalty for possession of drugs used to facilitate date-rape to a simple misdemeanor, no matter how many
times the suspected sexual predator has been charged with possession of date-rape drugs. The judge would be forced to sentence them as if it were their very first time in court.
We feel that proposition 47 minimizes the impact that rape has on our society by reducing penalties for the possession of rohypnol, ketamine, GHB and any other drug designed to render a victim helpless.
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People obtain date rape drugs with the intent to assault. Statistics show that one woman is raped every minute and with the current rate of sexual assault on our college campuses now is not the time to reduce the threat of punishment for would-be rapists.
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Proposition 47 would classify possession of methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine as misdemeanors. The proposition limits felony
consequences to only those who have previously committed non-violent crimes.
If passed, Proposition 47 would eliminate mandated drug courts for individuals arrested on drug convictions. There will be no incentive to complete an 18 month to 2 year intensive treatment program when the maximum consequences for a drug conviction is a six month misdemeanor term in county jail.
Our offices are located in Auburn and coming from a county that is currently having some very serious issues with heroin and methamphetamine use, particularly among young people, we at Crime Victims United believe that now is not the time to take away court-mandated drug rehabilitation programs.
Just to be clear, there is nothing in the wording of Proposition 47 that mentions marijuana convictions. This is not a law aimed at decriminalizing marijuana or releasing inmates charged with possession and/or use.
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An analysis conducted by the California District Attorneys Association has found that while Proposition 47 claims to reduce criminal behavior, it excludes several violent and serious crimes that would be reduced to non-violent should prop 47 pass this November.
Here are some examples of those “non-violent” crimes (read)
Many potentially violent individuals will be released – not because they do not pose a threat to society – but because the proposition has unreasonably limited the scope of what is considered a risk of danger to society and what the prosecution can present to counter the defendant’s eligibility.
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We believe that Proposition 47 is offering get out of jail free cards to individuals who seek to break the law and hurt other law-abiding
members of our society. This measure will overcrowd our local jails with dangerous felons who should be in state prison and will
simultaneously jam California's courts with hearings to provide get out of jail free cards to criminals.
Felons with prior convictions will be eligible for early release under Prop 47. Prop 47 backers say judges will be able to keep dangerous offenders from being released early, but this is simply not true. Prop 47 prevents judges from blocking the early release of inmates except in very rare cases.
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So far, proponents of Proposition 47 have loosely promised that the funds will be handed over to schools, victim services, mental health
and drug treatment, but there are only rough percentages listed and no specific plan included in the text of the ballot measure that details the distribution process.
What programs will be stepping in to accept the funding? Which trauma centers and drug treatment facilities will be involved? Where, exactly, can people seeking rehab or victims seeking assistance expect to go to get help? Will the money be evenly distributed to rural and urban communities, or will it all go to large cities such as San Francisco or Los Angeles?
To release prisoners while simultaneously creating safe neighborhoods and schools requires more than just rough percentages and promises of financial support.
In addition to having no real set plan of action, the legislative analyst’s office has pointed out that the money promised to fund rehabilitation programs and schools will be put in the control of counties, rather than the state, which means that counties decide where the money goes and are not limited to only invest in education and drug treatment.
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Harriet and other members of Crime Victims United are currently presenting a model similar to the Delancy Street Foundation, which was originally founded in San Francisco, to our state legislators and the governor. These types of regional reentry facilities would be run by the state with no cost to counties and would utilize funds from the corrections budget.
Like Delancy Street, these facilities would be able to provide 24/7 monitoring, housing, educational opportunities and work to hundreds of past inmates. Also like Delancy Street, programs would be ongoing and last two to four years. This would ensure that individuals are both mentally and physically able to have successful reentry experiences and are able to stand on their own two feet.
The Delancy Street Foundation has multiple locations across the United States, is free to participants and boasts a 98 percent success rate.
George Soros, founder of proposition 47, could finance construction and funding for several of these proven rehab facilities, but instead he has decided to use his limited experience with rehabilitation and recidivism to fund a dangerously flawed, deceptively named proposition that can in no way measure up to the achievements of centers like Delancy Street.
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Supporters have admitted that up to 10,000 inmates would be eligible for early release under Proposition 47.
These are not just individuals with prior convictions for drugs, such as marijuana possession. These are convicted felons, some of whom do have violent histories, who will be released into the very neighborhoods and near the very schools that Proposition 47 claims it will protect.
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As a victim’s rights organization, we cannot condone an initiative that would endanger the lives of thousands of innocent Californians.
People seeking to rehabilitate need a strong, well-detailed plan and lots of support. Victims of crime deserve a plan, written into the initiative that details EXACTLY how this will protect them, their family and friends. Proposition 47 is a quick-fix, trendy initiative that is already set up to fail and will only cost taxpayers more money in overcrowded jails and increased crime.
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Please join us, other victim’s rights groups, women’s rights groups, law enforcement organizations and business owners in voting NO on Proposition 47.
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Thank you for your time and for more information please visit our website at crimevictimsunited.com.