ANCHORAGE — State Sen. Mia Costello Friday announced she will introduce a bill to repeal SB 91, a 125-page omnibus crime bill that has been associated with a rise in crime in the state of Alaska.
“While SB 91 was well-intentioned and well researched, my constituents, neighbors and friends are calling out for repeal of this bill,” said Costello, an Anchorage Republican.
“A repeal bill is necessary,” Costello said in a press release. “Every Alaskan is suffering from either a burglary, theft or threat of these crimes, or worse, making us feel unsafe in our own homes and neighborhoods.
“We need to start fresh with a clean slate and move forward in a way that protects Alaskans. We’re not going to have a productive conversation if we are trying to untangle SB 91.”
The first opportunity to introduce the bill will be the start of the next regular session, said Costello, who represents West Anchorage in the Alaska State Senate and is chair of the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.
The ACLU of Alaska raised objections to Costello’s plan.
“Last year, the Alaska Legislature passed, and Governor Walker signed into law, SB 91, which included countless valuable reforms to Alaska’s criminal justice system including: stiffer penalties on violent offenses like murder, improved services for crime victims, and expanded crime-reduction programs like violence prevention and substance abuse treatment,” said ACLU of Alaska’s Executive Director Joshua A. Decker. “As a member of both House and Senate majorities over the past seven years, Sen. Costello has played a key role in decimating public safety budgets and slashing the number of prosecutors and law enforcement officers in Alaska.According to Attorney General Jahna Lindemuth, that has resulted in over 7,000 cases, both misdemeanors and felonies, going unprosecuted.”
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What isn't stated that the DOC has expanded under this bill. A section to enforce and to track those under SB91 assigned to programs has been created. SB91 saved nothing.
What SB91 did was to let the druggies out, and now opioid use is through the proverbial roof to the point where the gov declared an emergency and the state is handing out overdose response kits. Meanwhile, crime has gone up, especially related to drug use. Robberies, burglaries, home invasions, all way up, because of SB91. Druggies have to have their drugs, and hitting a house to rob or to burglarize for a few bucks is what they do.
SB91 also made gang recruitment easier. Gang initiation requires a felony class crime. Under SB91, a class C felony has no jail time, just a ticket offense, therefore, the gang banger initiate can commit a class C felony with virtual impunity.
Note the strong uptick in gang activity all throughout the state. The major Outside gangs are now present in Alaska. They send their bad boys here to 'cool' off. If they are arrested, our prisoners can get "professional" instruction these days for becoming a "better" criminal. Thank you, SB91.
The cops don't like this bill, DOC doesn't really like this bill, and yet, those who advocate continue to do so in the face of rising crime.
Mia probably voted for this bill. So did my former Rep, now Senator Shelley Hughes. I argued with her, she and others within the R party told me how beneficial this bill was going to be, how much money it has saved . . . not one dime to date. I told them that this bill was not beneficial, and needed more work--but, it was one of those we need to get this passed NOW! bills.
SB91 is part of a nationwide attempt by George Soros to undermine our system of justice by letting the druggies out and decriminalizing most minor offenses.
SB91 is not working.
Good thing Alaska has good carry laws for the law abiding, because the criminal has a strong advocate in George Soros.
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