GOVERNOR'S COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SAFETY JUST BEGINNING

The Governor's Commission on Public Safety is scheduled to issue its report on December 15, 2011, and the Governor's Executive Order expires on December 31, 2011.   After holding four all-day meetings around the state, (I attended all of them and made a presentation with the president of Crime Victims United at the last one) listening to planned presentations and public testimony, it is clear that the Commission is not in a position to do anything except stop meeting or continue reviewing the Oregon Public Safety System.  The Commission did not ..."collect, review, and evaluate arrest, conviction, sentencing and recidivism data as required by the Executive Order” nor did they "...collect, review, and evaluate data related to the costs of Oregon's current sentencing policy."  Although the Commission members spent considerable time listening to presentations, the task was simply too large for the five-month timeframe.  In addition, law enforcement members on the Commission such as a District Attorney and/or a Sheriff were noticeably lacking. Also missing was a practicing criminal defense attorney. I expect a new expanded Commission will replace the old one, and 2012 will be a busy year for them. >>>Read More