Fred Cruz: Prop 47 has made our communities more dangerous
Re “Police shootings are frightening” (Letters, March 15): Recently a letter writer claimed the police are “killing everyone, everywhere.” This observation requires a response.
When the inept voters of California approved Proposition 47, which reclassified some crimes from a felony to a misdemeanor, people who were in jail became eligible to be re-sentenced and then released into our communities. What a great concept!
The voters approved the release of criminals from our jails and then we criticize our police for doing their job of locking up people who commit crimes. Our police have to deal with more criminals because someone thought our system of putting people who committed crimes in prison was too cruel. What I have not seen is an increased level of respect and cooperation toward public safety officers who have to deal with more criminals on the street.
The police need our support, not ridiculous assertions of killings.
Fred Cruz, Modesto
This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Fred Cruz: Prop 47 has made our communities more dangerous."