‘Three Strikes’ Plan Flawed, Sheriff Says

Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block said Wednesday the so-called “three strikes and you’re out” anti-crime initiative would cost the state and its counties billions of dollars because more felons would be packed into jails and prisons.

Block said at a news conference that he supports the concept of the measure but is concerned that it would strain not only the penal system but the courts. He also said the measure does not differentiate between various kinds of felonies and provides no source of funding for the billions of dollars the state and various counties will have to spend if it passes.

Other law enforcement officers and some district attorneys around the state also have questioned details of the measure, petitions for which are being circulated in an effort to qualify it for ballot status. But Block’s criticism is among the most sweeping and comes from one of the state’s best-known law enforcement officials.

“I think it’s beyond question that if in fact this initiative becomes law, there will be a greater burden placed on county jails, for example, while people are awaiting trial and going through the trial process,” Block said.

Thousands of people facing a third conviction would be inclined to fight to the bitter end rather than spend life in prison as required under the measure, he said.

In the aftermath of the Polly Klaas killing by a habitual criminal, many citizens signing the petitions may not be aware “that that third conviction is for any felony,” the sheriff said.

“That means it can be a person entering a store with the intent to shoplift; it could be the issuance of a (bad) check. . . . It does not require a violent felony or the use of a firearm or anything of that nature.

“And that’s why I’m saying that the demand on the system is going to be enhanced considerably, and some legislative action will have to be taken to supply the (financial) resources,” he said.

Block, a Republican, is a friend of Gov. Pete Wilson, who supports the anti-crime measure. But the sheriff has kept a careful eye on increasing costs during the recession in an effort to keep money available for his department.

In another matter, Block reported that major crimes, including homicides, declined from 1992 to 1993 in the Sheriff’s Department’s jurisdiction.

But he discounted the figures, saying the declines may be because more people fear violence and are staying home at night.

Block said that major crime was down 6% through Dec. 27, compared to last year. He said homicides in his department’s jurisdiction declined during the same period from 446 last year to 421, or about 5%. Gang-related homicides dropped from 187 last year to 160, a decline of 14%.

Generally, he added, black-on-black gang homicides declined sharply, while homicides among Latino gang members increased, but he gave no precise numbers.

Deputy-involved shootings dropped from 47 in 1992 to 27 this year, and the number of deaths from shootings dropped from 39 to 32.

The Kolts report on use of undue force by the Sheriff’s Department may have contributed to the decline in deputy-involved shootings, he suggested. But he noted that because of funding cutbacks, his department has 800 fewer deputies than it once had, resulting in a decline in patrols.