FRESNO (KMJ) – A dozen Valley law enforcement and human rights leaders are urging voters to say no on Prop 57, holding a press conference on Thursday, September 1st at the Fresno County Deputy Sheriff Association.
Prop 57 on the November ballot is the early release of criminals initiative for those who have committed non-violent offenses, but Sheriff Margaret Mims says it actually will allow thousands of dangerous career criminals to hit the streets.
“This would overturn the very import safeguards put in place when 3 strikes passed, also Marcy’s Law, also the Victim’s Bill of Rights. It would just be taking apart and deconstructing everything that’s been put in place.” – Sheriff Margaret Mims
Governor Jerry Brown, in a voicemail obtained by the Sacramento Bee, accused Sheriff Mims of using scare tactics in her mailer on Prop 57.
“What’s interesting is I gave him the benefit of the doubt, and he was wrong, and so that voicemail was used in to support the ‘No on 57’ campaign, we can’t have more victims than we do already.” – Sheriff Mims.
Now, the Fresno County Sheriff is joined by Fresno Police Chief, and district attorneys from Merced, Tulare and Fresno – among others united and urging a ‘no’ vote on 57.
“They are trying to cover it up by saying it’s about public safety, and reducing the number of people in prison and in fact, that problem has been solved, and so for the Governor to try to push this that would be disingenuous and so that’s why he’s trying to title this something that it’s not.” – Fresno County District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp.
Their efforts hitting social media at #stop prop 57.
Listen to a report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
