Policy Day: Part 4

Now we are on to property crime!

I will and do prosecute property crime. Anyone is free to speak to any of the deputies I work with in Gilliam County. They will tell you I prosecute and prosecute diligently. I have a three pronged approach to property crime:

1. You must know how to charge it. Some people will be repeat offenders that need to stay in jail. If you don't charge it correctly from the get go, they will be released before I ever see the report. That is why my deputies call me when they are arresting.

2. You must, as DA, provide training to officers on what needs to be done to successfully prosecute property crimes. You can't cry that your hands are tied by the investigation, if you haven't offered training to the officers. They have a lot to do!!!!!!

3. FUND ME!!!! I firmly believe if we don't protect our children, we will see more crime in the future. You take money away from my office - I will make hard choices. The children will always come first. ALWAYS. I will not prosecute a shopping cart over an abused and hurt child. Fund me so I do not have to make hard choices.

All of this being said, we have a lot of tools in our toolbox. We have the repeat property statute that I mentioned below (ORS 137.717). That can be utilized for people that keep reoffending. We have a treatment court for people that can be rehabilitated.

But will I prosecute property crimes? Yes! I am a property owner. In Wasco County. I grew up on a farm with over 1000 acres. I know what property crimes do to hurt our community. Particularly our small business owners.

But you can't dump every single municipal court case on my lap AND cut all funding AND expect the same level of responsiveness. I took NO TIME OFF - NONE - after my brother died. I have taken a total of three days off in the last year and a half. Fund the office. FUND IT. Even if you don't vote for me - neither Mr. Marston nor I can operate at this level forever.

And I will always put children first.