Pubdate: Fri, 11 May 2001 Source: Quad-City Times (IA) Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times Contact: http://www.qctimes.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/857 Feedback: http://www.qctimes.com/write_edletter/writeletter.html Address: 500 E. Third St., Davenport, IA 52801 Copyright: 2001 Quad-City Times Fax: (319) 383-2370 Section: State, Bi-State Report COUNTY ASKS CITIES TO MAKE FEWER ARRESTS IOWA CITY, Iowa - Johnson County has asked city officials to arrest fewer people to help cut the jail population. "This year, we need to cut our average daily population by 12 to 15," Supervisor Carol Thompson said Wednesday. "The voters have shown they are unwilling to build more beds. The question is, will you help us?" Thompson also asked city council members from Iowa City, North Liberty, and Coralville to help sponsor community forums to discuss jail options and identify ways to expand the jail capacity without building a new jail. Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White said examples of crimes for which people could be cited instead of jailed include drug possession and forgeries. However, jail time has value as a deterrent, he said. "A person is less likely to write another bad check if they are arrested and booked," White said. "But we need to do something." Iowa City Mayor Ernie Lehman said he wants to hear from police before deciding what the city should do. - --- MAP posted-by: Thunder