The recent release of almost 100 prisoners, including several accused murderers, in Oregon emphasizes the growing need for “We the People” to re-examine public safety in America in accordance with the Second Amendment.
Forced to close an entire wing of its jail because of a $100 million dollar budget deficit, Oregon’s Lane County recently released 100 prisoners from its jail, including several accused killers. Lane County Sheriff Tom Turner, who oversaw the release of the prisoners over a 3-day period, said “It was horrifying…all the effort to get these people into the jail is now gone.”
In addition to the release of the inmates, Lane County also eliminated 64 positions within the sheriff’s department. Twenty-eight deputies were laid off, forcing the sheriff to cut back on patrols. These cutbacks resulted in a 6-to-8-hour time period daily when there is no one available to respond as citizens need help.
The early release of prisoners to save monies is nothing new, however. In May, Grants Pass, Oregon, was forced to release 39 prisoners as a result of budget deficits. Most of those prisoners were doing time for crimes such as burglary, drugs, and ID theft.
In 2008, Arizona, Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Vermont all released or gave early paroles to inmates simply because those states could no longer afford to house them due to budget cuts and overcrowding. It appears that the early release of inmates and the closings of prisons and jails is becoming the preferred option of choice in dealing with budget crises for many cities and states.
As more cities and towns across the country face budget crises, more essential services are being cut. According to a 2011 report by the National League of Cities, more than 50% of all U.S. cities have either been forced to cut staff, cancel construction projects, or raise their fees. In extreme cases, cities have been forced to file for bankruptcy. Recently, the California cities of Stockton, San Bernardino, and Mammoth Lakes have all filed for bankruptcy—victims of the housing bust, declining revenues, and growing debt.
America has the largest incarcerated population in the world, and it’s costly to provide services for all of these inmates—approximately $60 billion per year and climbing. With both fiscal and personnel cuts, municipalities and states have only a limited number of options to choose from in order to survive.
One option is to release or give early parole to what might be termed “low-level” criminals from prisons and jails. But can we afford to cut the criminal justice system without compromising public safety? Does early release diminish the deterrent factor behind “crime and punishment?” Other options include moving prisoners to private facilities or changing laws regarding crimes considered to be “minor.” Some of those crimes, which are now punishable with jail sentences, would no longer be considered criminal, lessening the number of arrests and easing the overcrowding issues.
With budget crises continuing across the country and the probability of additional releases of both “low-level” and violent criminals onto America’s streets, it appears that ordinary citizens may need to take up the slack and become their own line of defense against crime in America. Police protection is a myth and, in reality, police cannot and do not protect everyone from crime in America. When it comes to deterring and defending against crime, it is individuals themselves who are ultimately responsible.
Yet, Americans continue to believe that all they need for protection is a telephone. Dial 911 and the police will come to your rescue faster than a speeding bullet. Do you want to bet your life on that telephone? Dial 911. The 911 emergency operator never answers because of understaffing and budget cuts or, if someone does answer, doesn’t send anyone because patrols have been cut back. Is this the future of public safety in America?
Up until the 20th century, most states and local communities dealt with crime at the local levels, without the need for “large-standing support organizations which were funded for that purpose.” It really wasn’t until the 20th century that large public safety agencies took over the roles citizens filled in their communities in the past.
“The purpose of the Second Amendment, along with a well regulated militia, was to allow states and local communities to deal with crime and violence without the need for municipalities to have a large standing support organizations dedicated and funded for this purpose. However, as city revenues and budgets grew larger during the 20th century, the creation of large public safety offices and agencies took over the roles that citizens primarily held in their communities in years past,” says Kenneth Schortgen, Jr. of Examiner.com.
Maybe it’s time to rethink public safety in America. But in the meantime, dangerous criminals are being released because cities and states can no longer afford to keep them locked up.
As article appeared on network’s website: http://www.gcnlive.com/wp/2012/07/20/barb-adams-taking-back-america%E2%80%99s-streets/
Share this post...
