Crime and Punishment
I took the day off to see what it feels like to sleep past 5 a.m. and since last night involved cigars, kamikaze shots and two very lovely Malaysian strippers I needed it. But before I go back to bed, I had to write a couple lines about crime and punishment.
As you know I’ve been covering crime in our area and the latest development is the recent announcement by “Hizzoner” Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson and Sheriff Frank Anderson. The two announced Thursday a plan to step up enforcement efforts to crack down on crime. It primarily includes increasing patrols and arrests by getting more officers back on the street. Hizzoner is also working with the faith-based community.
I give Hizzoner and the Sheriff strong kudos for their announcement. Crime tends to increase in summer and it’s already off the chart. The only criticism I have of Hizzoner’s plan is that if the police and sheriff’s deputies are successful in making more arrests, they’re going to need someplace to put them, i.e. jail space.
The Sheriff has said 125 jail beds will be freed up as space becomes available when female inmates are moved over to Liberty Hall at Washington and College. However it will take more than 125 beds. If Hizzoner and Sheriff are smart they will also bring Marion County Prosecutor Carl Brizzi (who was not at the news conference, draw your own conclusions) on board and take him up on the proposal to get another 250 beds at New Castle prison via the Indiana Department on Corrections. City-Council President Monroe Gray did not allow the measure to be introduced at the council’s meeting this week.
Hizzoner deserves a lot of credit for taking this initiative to crack down on crime. Add some more jail space and I’ll be happy to give him a lot more.
