A group of Republican lawmakers in Louisville have announced the Safer Kentucky Act. It’s a plan to crack down on crime and update Kentucky’s criminal code. The act increases the penalties for the lethal drug fentanyl, attempted murder, and vandalism—all on the rise in Louisville. The Safer Kentucky Act also targets repeat felons through a “three strikes” law. A third felony conviction would lead to a life sentence in prison. The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jared Bauman (R-Louisville) said that many of his constituents have seen crime increase and don’t feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Bauman is a Republican who unseated a long tenured moderate Democrat who likely suffered under his party’s “defund the police” push. Now it appears to be Republican’s turn to set public safety policy in our biggest cities.
KENTUCKY DESPERATELY NEEDS THIS BILL!!!
KY needs this bill as much as we need another Dollar Store. We don’t desperately need more jails and prisons to lock up homeless for years on end. There is a shortage of able-bodied adults in the work force. There is a shortage of parents providing stable housing to their children. There is a shortage of accessible quality mental health care. Where is everyone? We already boast the 7th highest ratio of incarceration in the world. Are we aiming for the 6th spot?
When will our goal be to save and improve lives of Kentuckians instead of seeing how much jail time and fines they can place on an individual before they break?
This bill will have a grave impact on Kentucky’s youth. 💔
This bill will make KY economically weaker. KY boasts the 7th highest incarceration rate on the planet. This bill will make 2nd offense homelessness a felony. This bill will prevent the homeless population from being eligible for housing until they complete rehab or a mental health program. Many homeless have jobs and are trying to obtain housing. Being plucked out of society to complete a 30+ day program they may otherwise feel they don’t need will cost them their jobs. Yet, there will be no other route to obtain housing. The causes of homelessness are complex and cannot be over simplified into a one size fits all solution of felony incarceration. Banishing them from public eye is disheartening. They are homeless, that by default should not define them as criminals.
3 felonies = life in prison or death penalty? There are convicted child rapists in KY that only receive probation. Likewise, there are men convicted of murdering women that serve less than 5 years. But yes, drug dealers get life in prison or even the death penalty because an addict OD’ed?. Addicts are prone to use as much as they can get their hands on. In comparison, if I obtain a prescription that is to last me all month but I choose to consume them all in one night: The pharmacist is in no danger of being charged with murder for my wreck less actions if I die.
It costs over $40K/yr to incarcerate a state inmate. Imagine how much crime KY could prevent if they used just half that amount on housing, rehabs and case management.
This Bill will only continue to increase our embarrassing incarceration rate and usher in the next generation of offenders that will be growing up without their incarcerated parents and/or experience continuous housing instability.