Governor Pete Wilson on Crime

Public safety has been a top priority for Pete Wilson as
Governor, as it has been throughout his political life. From his first
year in office, the Governor has promoted legislation to target the most
dangerous criminals, get them off the street and keep them behind bars as
long as necessary to make the public safe.

The Governor also recognized that much of the crime-fighting done
in California takes place on the local level, and so he has helped ensure
that local government has the resources it needs for couty sheriffs, city
police chiefs and county DAs to fight crime.

Highlights

ð Death Penalty. During Governor Wilson's tenure as governor, the
state has carried out the first two executions in 25 years. After the
execution of Robert Alton Harris, Governor Wilson chastised certain
judges in the case for legal shenanigans that delayed the execution,
costing the victims' families untold suffering and the taxpayers millions
of dollars.

ð Tougher Sentences. Governor Wilson signed a "Three Strikes,
You're Out" bill into law on March 7, 1994, which doubled sentences for
those convicted of a second felony offense, and imposed life sentences
for those convicted a third time. Governor Wilson also supports "One
Strike, You're Out" for child molesters, rapists and arsonists to get
these criminals off the streets for good. And since his first year in
office, Governor Wilson has repeatedly demanded the reduction of
good-time credits that allow criminals to routinely serve only half their
sentences.

ð California Crime Summit. The Governor convened over a two-day
crime summit (February 7 & 8) bringing together crime victims, law
enforcement personnel, public officials and other leaders from around the
state to find the best ways to make California safer.

ð Special Session of the Legislature. On December 29, 1993, the
Govenor announced that he was calling a special session of the
Legislature in an effort to use public support to galvanize the
Legislature into action on stalled crime-fighting legislation.

ð Prisons. Five new prisons have been opened during Governor
Wilson's administration. These new facilities added 11,576 beds to the
prison system. In his 1994-95 budget, Governor Wilson proposed $2 billion
in bonds to build six more prisons.

ð Cops On The Street. To regain our streets from the criminals,
Governor Wilson has proposed to recruit and train 500 new CHP officers
and place them in high-crime areas around the state. Governor Wilson was
also a leading voice in the campaign for Proposition 172 to protect local
public safety resources.

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