Addiction, untreated mental health, and the lack of consequences
Treating mental health issues through incarceration is not working. Our jails are not equipped to treat the mentally ill. Untreated these unfortunate folks are rearrested over and over in an endless cycle. We need a true mental health county lock down facility.
With the passing of prop 47 we lost the felony escalation of repeat offenses. The theft of anything valued under $950, including firearms, is classified as a misdemeanor. And no number of repeat offenses results in a felony charge. There are no consequences for repeat offenders to encourage prevention of the crime.
Social services without accountability has created an ecosystem of enablement.
Easy access to heroin and meth have lead to an epidemic of IV drug use. Maintaining a drug habit is expensive and drives property crime and leaves our parks and beaches littered with used needles. We are fighting a heroin epidemic and a mental health crisis disguised as a homeless issue. Not one solution, not one crisis.
What can we do about the rise in crime?
- Increase our awareness and call 911 when we see suspicious behavior.
- Make sure you and your children know what to do when you find a used needle
- Get to know your neighbors – join a neighborhood social media site
- Reexamine our notoriously low bail schedule.
- Require mandatory treatment for addicted offenders. Without consequences there can be no chance for an addicted person to begin the process of recovery.
- Pass Laura’s Law to help the mentally ill who are unable to help themselves.
- Modify prop 47 to restore consequences for repeat offenders.
- Make sure we have enough on duty police officers and Sheriff’s deputies.