Focus Is On Jails in Measure J

* I am writing regarding the April 4 editorial, “A Lot of Confusion on Measure J.”

Sheriff Brad Gates never assured “cities that, if Measure J were to pass, the Board of Supervisors would probably revoke jail booking fees.” The letter he sent to City Council members says only that he would support the elimination of jail booking fees if J passes. And when we get calls from council members, we tell them the same thing: We don’t know what the board will do, but the sheriff would support eliminating the fees if J passes.

As far as the courthouse issue goes, we have never tried to hide the fact that Measure J would pay for courthouses. In fact, because the ballot (measure) itself will say that J pays for courthouses, it would be impossible “to deprive voters of the ability to make an informed decision.” We are focusing on jails because jails are the main focus of Measure J. And they should be.

Each week, more than 850 criminals are being released back into the community after arrest or before the end of their sentences because the American Civil Liberties Union convinced a federal court judge to limit jail overcrowding.

Without a new jail, the sheriff will have no alternative but to continue releasing gang members, burglars, drunk drivers and drug dealers back into the community.

Measure J will provide enough money to purchase land at Gypsum Canyon and build and operate a new 6,700-bed jail there to meet our jail needs through the year 2006.

That’s the focus of this campaign, and that’s why Sheriff Gates, Dist. Atty. Mike Capizzi, Orange County Chiefs of Police Assn. President David Snowden and Mothers Against Drunk Driving are supporting Measure J.

EILEEN E. PADBERG

Committee to Keep Criminals in Jail