I WOULDN'T PUT IT THAT WAY

by Bob Walsh

The LAPPL (Los Angeles P:olice Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers) has a very interesting project in the works. They are calling it an attempt to help Jerry Brown keep his word regarding public safety. If it was me I would call it "HELP JERRY GET HIS HEAD OUT OF HIS ASS" but maybe they thought their way would sell better.

The proposal is a Ballot Initiative, titled REDUCING CRIME AND KEEPING CALIFORNIA SAFE ACT OF 2018. What it does is changes the definition of "violent crime." This is desirable because of Jerry's Proposition 57, passed by the voters. This proposition makes it possible for prsons convicted of non-violent crimes to get out of prison much earlier than would otherwise be possible. The problem, therefore, is the definition of VIOLENT CRIME.

Right now the below listed offenses are right now considered non-violent crimes in the formerly great state of California. This proposal, if passed into law, would change them to be considered VIOLENT and change them in such a way that it will be very difficult for the legislature to further diddle with them.

__Solicitation to commit murder.

__Felony Assault with a Firearm.

__Felony Assault with a deadly weapon.

__Felon Assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer or fire fighter.

__Assault with a caustic chemical.

__False Imprisonment

__Felony Domestic Abuse

__Spousal Rape

__Use of force or threat of force against the victim or witness to a crime.

__Sexual assaults against disabled persons.

I have real hope that this will fly. When the voters approved Proposition 57 I strongly believe they thought they were dealing with a relatively "normal" definition of non-violent offense They were duped..