Prop 47... I hate to say I told you so but

Over the last several years, I have witnessed so much irresponsibility from people we seek leadership from as well as voters who I believe had good intentions. We have chosen idealism over our safety. We have chosen to be test subjects in social experiments over common sense. 

We have termed those who commit crimes willfully as the victim and have ignored real victims. They used tortured language to twist truth like stating that when we arrest criminals we are "disrupting their lives.” When what was really happening was that we were disrupting their criminal activities. 

We fall for titles at the ballot box, instead of weighing the realities of human nature. 

For example, Prop 47 was dubbed the "Safe neighborhoods and schools act.” Put that on any ballot and most people will vote for it without thinking. 

But can anyone tell me how releasing inmates who could care less about your safety or property with no jobs, and with no real mandate to get rehabilitated, onto the streets is supposed to make neighborhoods and schools safer?  

The measure did exactly what I thought it would. Put neighborhoods and schools in these neighborhoods in danger. Crime is up all over this state. 

Here is the thing. I would have voted for 47 if the mechanisms were in place when they got out to house, employ, and educate the released inmates. Instead and as always, they released first and said "Oh we we'll fix it later." 

I actually agree with making mere possession a misdemeanor, but a misdemeanor with some teeth at least. But I am seeing drug dealers qualifying for 47, as courts are finding loopholes to help get felony drug sales charges reduced.  

There is zero incentive now for addicts or dealers to stop their crimes or seek help. Drug usage and dealing are not victimless crimes as the people who created the laws would have you believe. 

Dysfunctional users will resort to violence and property crimes to support their habits. Drug dealers use violence as a means to control their operation, protect territories, and intimidate communities from trying to stop them. 

This has always been the case, but somehow we still voted for this flawed law as if these criminals would magically stop committing crimes if we released them and just slapped them on the wrist enough times until they grew tired of having their wrist slapped.  

Prop 47 and AB109 were not about saving money at all. They were simply a political movement that was packaged in a certain way to get you to vote for it – and it worked. It prayed on your heart by using the usual tactics of "saving kids" and "Giving people chances." But what they really have done is place kids and adults in danger to satisfy a world view. 

This must be reversed. I'm not against giving people second chances. If you know me, you know that's what I am all about. But with every noble concept, you must use your head and common sense to get it done. 

The safety of the people of this state should never be sacrificed or be a part of some idealistic experiment. 

I do hope some of the people being released turn their lives around. I'm sure there are a few it may benefit. But based on what I have seen in 20 years of police work, many career criminals won't stop because they chose criminality as a career.

Call me old school. But I believe that if you were man or woman enough to commit the crime, you should be man or woman enough to do the time so communities can have relief from your "career choice." 

Because in the end, regardless of who you are, it is a choice.