Community Corner

Maienschein: Prison Realignment is Dangerous for San Diego County

Assemblyman Brian Maienschein explains his opposition to realignment, arguing that it is having a significant effect on crime in San Diego County.

By Assemblyman Brian Maienschein

Families in the San Diego region and across California are growing more and more concerned about the public safety realignment plan, AB 109, signed by Governor Brown in 2011. I share this concern and remain opposed to realignment because of the significant impact it’s had on crime in our community. 

Under the plan enacted in 2011, thousands of serious and repeat criminals will serve their time in overcrowded local jails instead of state prison. Responsibility for parole and probation is now handled at the local level, with violators serving time in county jails rather than being sent back to state prison. While parolees were once mostly passive, low-level offenders, they are now becoming more aggressive and confrontational. “A lot of these guys know they’re not going back to prison,” said LA County probation officer Steven Munguia.

Unfortunately, because of realignment, individuals in our community are increasingly at risk of being victims of crime. Prior to the implementation of AB 109, San Diego enjoyed its lowest crime rate in nearly 40 years. However, as of last October, the crime rate has increased 6.9 percent. These alleged “low-risk” offenders are committing a variety of violent crimes ranging from vehicular manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon, to rape and murder. Nearly one-quarter of the approximately 2,100 former prison inmates released in San Diego County last year have committed new crimes. 

San Diego Police Chief Bill Landsdowne recently said, “AB 109 is starting to have an effect on our crime.” According to the San Diego Police Department, the number of murders in San Diego increased from 38 in 2011 to 47 in 2012, and cases of rape increased by 11 to 304. Because our county jails are already crowded, dangerous criminals are now flaunting the law knowing they won’t be sent to prison—and innocent people are paying the price. 

The federal courts have called on Governor Brown to reduce the prison population by an additional 10,000 inmates, and I commend the governor for appealing this case to the Supreme Court. Going forward, I have urged the administration to utilize funds approved six years ago by the legislature on a bipartisan vote to build more “in-fill” beds at existing state prison facilities, while also taking steps to reactivate prison cells that are not being used. I also supported a package of 13 common-sense reforms to help local communities cope under the strain of realignment and keep serious and repeat criminals locked up.
 
Now is the time for action to prevent an already deteriorating situation from getting worse. I stand ready to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do whatever it takes to ensure that families in San Diego and all across the state are protected.

I will continue to oppose the wholesale release of prisoners into our community, and I will work to keep violent predators behind bars where they belong.
To learn more about how realignment is impacting San Diego County, I invite you to visit “California Crime Watch” website at cacrimewatch.com

Maienschein, a former San Diego City councilman, was elected to the 77th Assembly District in November, representing the residents of Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, 4S Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Carmel Valley, Clairemont, Del Dios, Del Mar Heights, Fairbanks Ranch, Kearny Mesa, Mira Mesa, Rancho Santa Fe, Sabre Springs, San Carlos, San Pasqual Valley, Scripps Ranch, Sorrento Valley and Tierrasanta.
---
Editor's Note: This story has been updated in the second paragraph to say that many criminals are serving time in local jails, not that they have been released.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here