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.