Central Coast Law Enforcement Concerned About Three Strikes Law - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

Central Coast Law Enforcement Concerned About Three Strikes Law Revision

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CENTRAL COAST, Calif. -- With the new revisions to the "Three Strikes Law" passed by votes in California, some argue it will send more criminals back on the street and some Central Coast law enforcement are concerned it will make their job more difficult to prosecute repeat offenders.
 
Out of the 4,000 prisoners serving life sentences under the "Three Strikes Law", 2,000 will receive new sentencing under Prop 36.

"What it does is affect our ability to successfully prosecute and incarcerate, for long periods of time, career criminals," Lieutenant Norm Come of the Santa Maria Police. "That was my understanding, of the intent of the original 'Three Strikes Law'."

He says the revision opens up a number of the other felonies repeat-offenders can commit without fear of serious prosecution that don't fall under the "violent" category, which he says will increase the workload on law enforcement.

But supporters of the revision say it will save taxpayer money and make the punishment fit the crime.

"You hear those sensational stories where someone steals a pack of cigarettes and they're put away for a 'Three Strikes Law' violation but what you don't hear is what they did several years in the past," says Come.

"Somebody who is truly attempting to turn their life around would not get caught in a felony violation, no matter what the violation."

Supporters say after the law's enactment in 1994, crime declined significantly in California. Between 2000 and 2005, they say violent crime went down more than 17 percent.

Many supporters say due to the severe sentencing measures like 'Three Strikes', California's prison population has exploded in the past few decades and they believe these punishments are excessive and inhumane.

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