Locking Up Criminals

Recent news stories regarding the early release of a convicted drunk-driver have stirred significant interest in and anger toward the county’s criminal justice system. I can understand and appreciate these emotions; I only wish they would be stirred more often.

Due to jail overcrowding, law enforcement agencies throughout the county constantly cite and release or book and release arrestees instead of sending them to jail. Thirty-eight percent of arrestees booked and released are rearrested prior to their case disposition.

The linchpin to solving this disaster, the county’s new 1,500-bed jail at East Mesa, sits empty because there is no money to hire the necessary sheriff’s deputies for operating the facility. Clearly, the sheriff, district attorney and judges of this county are in unenviable positions to cope with the criminal element of society.

I do not intend to get into a position of defending the sheriff for releasing Ms. Reid early from jail. However, I understand and sympathize with the plight he, and all the players in our criminal justice system, face. Citizens must realize that if we want to see justice served on those individuals convicted of crimes, than we need to support new funding mechanisms for our jails and courts.

This is why I have supported a half-cent sales tax to finance the construction and operations of courts and jails. This is the fairest method to begin easing the pressure on the valves of justice. It would make San Diego a safer place to live and visit. And it would put an end to the senseless, non-system that exists in San Diego County today.

GEORGE F. BAILEY

Chairman

San Diego County Board of Supervisors