LAWMAKERS NEED TO GET TOUGH ON CRIME

I agree with Rep. Bud Stonebraker's comments (Star-Bulletin, March 11)
regarding the need to adopt tougher criminal laws. Why are Rep. Scott Saiki
and Sen. Colleen Hanabusa saying this critical issue has political
implications? With the constant increase in crystal meth use, crime is out
of control. Most property crimes are directly related to it. In addition,
many criminals with extensive records, such as Shane Mark, who was charged
with killing police officer Glen Gaspar, are committing outrageous crimes on
a daily basis to support their drug habits.

Right now, crime is worth the risk of punishment to criminals. For the sake
of the communities, law enforcement and tourism, tougher laws must be
adopted quickly. Hanabusa commented about the lingering problem of prison
overcrowding. Is overcrowding a valid reason to release criminals back to
the streets? That seems to be the case in our state.

Ed Bajcar