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Vote against Prop. 66 -- keep 'Three Strikes'PROPOSITION 66 is nothing more than a misguided attempt to destroy California's successful "Three Strikes" law, which was designed to protect society from recidivist criminals.
I was originally concerned about where three strikes would lead California when it was introduced in 1994. The results are dramatically clear.
The existing law has led to a safer society. According to FBI crime statistics, California's crime rate has decreased by twice the national average since 1994 while the state's population has increased by one-third. We've experienced the largest crime reduction in California history.
There is no greater saving to the state than preventing more law-abiding citizens from becoming victims. If Proposition 66 were to pass, that is exactly what would happen -- more people would be victimized.
Proposition 66 would eliminate several serious and violent crimes from the current strike list, including arson, residential burglary, attempted burglary, criminal threats, felony gang crimes and felonies like drunken driving in which people are seriously hurt or killed. Likewise, juvenile sex offenders would no longer receive a strike for seriously injuring an elderly or disabled person during an assault with intent to commit rape.
According to the California District Attorneys Association, more than 26,000 convicted felons would be immediately returned to local communities for resentencing and likely release. These are not petty thieves and low-level drug offenders but hardened career criminals who cannot be rehabilitated.
Initially, I was concerned with the lack of prosecutorial and judicial discretion under the "Three Strikes" law, resulting in the construction of numerous prisons to house an exploding population of petty criminals at the expense of education and social services.
However, this doomsday scenario was never realized. Prosecutors and judges do have the right to dismiss strikes when applicable. The "Three Strikes" law puts California's worst criminals away for life.
This is the most important public-safety issue facing California voters.
If Proposition 66 passes, three strikes will be destroyed, providing yet another legal loophole for California's most notorious criminals.
People deserve second chances, but the average California inmate has been convicted of five felony offenses before finally being sent to prison.
Three-strikers are hardened criminals with long records of serious, habitual and often violent criminal behavior -- serial losers who discount previous criminal activity and refuse to take responsibility for their actions.
The motivation for Proposition 66 is cynical and transparent.
In an effort to spring his own son from prison, a Sacramento insurance company owner invested more than $1.5 million to secure the signatures needed to qualify the proposition for the November ballot.
While driving at excessive speed on a suspended driver's license, and under the influence of marijuana and alcohol, Richard Keenan caused the death of two teenagers and seriously injured a third.
Although the proponents of Proposition 66 refuse to admit it, this is nothing more than a rich man trying to buy a perverted version of justice.
Do not be misled and do not be fooled. Californians are safer now than ever before.
I oppose Proposition 66 along with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Bill Lockyer, all 58 of the state's district attorneys and every major law enforcement, taxpayer, child protection and victim group in the state.
Marc Klaas is the father of Polly Klaas and president of the Klaas Kids Foundation.
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