Pubdate: Sun, 29 Oct 2006
Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel (CA)
Copyright: 2006 Santa Cruz Sentinel
Contact: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/news/edit/form.htm
Website: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/394
Author: Maria Mead
Note: Dr. Maria Mead is medical director for the Santa Cruz Women's 
Health Center.
Also: Opposing OPED 'Measure K Another Attempt at De Facto 
Legalization' http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06.n1453.a10.html
Cited: Measure K http://www.sensiblesantacruz.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?115 (Marijuana - California)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POLICE SHOULD FOCUS ON OTHER THINGS BESIDES POT

Measure K, the lowest law-enforcement priority initiative, is about 
setting police priorities that make sense.

This November, Santa Cruz voters will have the chance to choose a 
local, common-sense alternative to the Bush administration's failed 
War on Drugs. Measure K will make adult marijuana offenses the lowest 
law-enforcement priority for the Santa Cruz Police Department, 
allowing our police to use their valuable time and resources to focus 
on preventing serious and violent crime.

There are far more pressing issues and far more pressing drugs, like 
methamphetamine and heroine, affecting our city than nonviolent adult 
marijuana users.

Santa Cruz citizens are rightly concerned about the rising levels of 
violence and the shocking number of violent crimes that go unsolved.

Last year, more than three quarters of reported rapes and over half 
of reported assaults in Santa Cruz went unsolved.

At the same time, gang violence is on the rise. Shouldn't our police 
focus on fighting crimes like these?

Measure K will make Santa Cruz safer by enabling police to focus time 
and resources on preventing violent crime, as opposed to non-violent 
marijuana offenses.

The measure does not apply to distribution of marijuana to minors, 
offenses taking place on public property or driving under the influence.

Similar initiatives have been quite successful in several other 
cities, including Oakland, West Hollywood and Seattle. Since Seattle 
passed its lowest law-enforcement priority initiative, marijuana 
arrests have plummeted by more than 75 percent, with no reported 
increase in usage. Former Seattle Police Chief Norm Stamper has said 
that the policy has "made a huge difference, freeing up the police to 
concentrate on real crimes."

In Santa Cruz, Measure K will also put our city on record as 
supporting reform of state and federal marijuana laws. Nationally, 
the Bush administration has made marijuana - medial or otherwise - 
its number-one priority in its failed War on Drugs. Each year, over 
700,000 people are arrested in the United States for 
marijuana-related offenses. In California, taxpayers spend over $150 
million a year to arrest, prosecute and imprison marijuana offenders.

Our overcrowded prisons are at nearly twice capacity and taxpayers 
are now being asked for billions more to build new ones. It's time 
for a more sensible approach.

We deserve policies that reflect our values and priorities here in 
Santa Cruz. Measure K was placed on the ballot by the signatures of 
over 6,000 Santa Cruz citizens, nearly twice the amount required. 
Public opinion polls show that a strong majority of Santa Cruz voters 
agree that the federal War on Drugs has failed, and that police 
should focus more time and resources on investigating violent crimes 
instead of non-violent marijuana offenses.

Since Measure K was placed on the ballot, there has been an 
outpouring of support from community leaders and organizations, 
including the Democratic Party of Santa Cruz County, the California 
Nurses Association, UAW Local 2865, Santa Cruz Action Network, Vice 
Mayor Emily Reilly, Councilmember Tim Fitzmaurice and many others.

This Nov. 7, we have the opportunity to continue our tradition of 
progressive and humane leadership by passing Measure K. Please join 
us. To learn more about Measure K and how you can get involved, 
please visit www.SensibleSantaCruz.org.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake