Wilson Has Taken Bite Out of Crime

Californians concerned about crime in their communities should take comfort in Gov. Pete Wilson’s signing of AB 3229 and SB 1760. AB 3229 will provide $100 million statewide for local law enforcement (Ventura County’s share, of course, is just a fraction of this amount), while SB 1760 provides $50 million in grant money to communities for local juvenile crime prevention and intervention programs.

In Ventura County, we are fortunate to have a Board of Supervisors and citizenry that recognize public safety as the first priority of local government. This precept, a part of the state Constitution since the passage of Proposition 172 in 1994, has found expression in our local public safety services ordinance. Because of this ordinance, our public safety agencies have received priority funding in the county’s budget. Law enforcement agencies in other counties, however, have not been so fortunate. Their budgets have been cut and public safety revenues diverted in spite of the clear constitutional mandate. The governor’s action in signing these bills will provide welcome and much-needed assistance to these jurisdictions. In addition, it may allow our respective offices the opportunity to assist the county in its ongoing effort to conserve general fund resources.

These measures are important for us because, although our dedicated law enforcement professionals have been successful in keeping the county’s crime rate low, we are not an island unto ourselves. Our ability to keep Ventura County safe depends in part on the ability of our neighbors to deal with their own problems before they migrate here.

In this regard, we owe Gov. Wilson a debt of gratitude.

MICHAEL D. BRADBURY

LARRY CARPENTER

Ventura

Michael D. Bradbury is the Ventura County district attorney and Larry Carpenter is the Ventura County sheriff.