Our Property Crime Issue
According to NeighborhoodScout, the property crime rate in Yelm is 38 per 1,000 residents. This is nearly twice the national median of 19 per 1,000 residents. We need to find solutions to solve this problem for our citizens and local businesses alike.
The primary purpose of sending people to jail is to serve as a means of punishment and rehabilitation. Our justice system aims to protect society by temporarily removing dangerous individuals from the community to ensure public safety.
I am a compassionate person and realize that people need second chances, but our justice system is currently failing our citizens. Repeat offenders are largely unpunished. Spending money on our courts, police, and corrections is an important job of society, and our state needs to do more. Although a city counselor’s power is limited, I would advocate for our region to find a more serious and effective approach. If our state can’t afford to prosecute criminals due to cost, it needs to find ways to appropriately finance the system.
I believe that while incarcerated, criminals should have access to various rehabilitative programs and services designed to help them address the underlying causes of their criminal behavior, such as substance abuse, mental health issues, or lack of education and job skills. I believe that the goal is to facilitate their reintegration into society as law-abiding citizens, reducing the likelihood of reoffending and promoting a safer, more just community.
As such, the City of Yelm should not shy away from prosecuting criminals. While we cannot ensure that the larger justice system will appropriately rehabilitate individuals, our police force should continue to do our part to find and charge criminals.
The City of Yelm should continue to hire an appropriate amount of police officers and continue to provide school resource officers to our schools. As our population grows, so does the demand for law enforcement services to maintain public safety. More police officers can enhance the capacity to respond promptly to emergencies, investigate crimes, and deter criminal activity, making the city a safer place for residents and visitors.
School resource officers play a crucial role in maintaining safety and promoting a positive learning environment within schools. Our three SROs help deter potential threats, ensuring that students and staff feel secure while at school. They also serve as valuable resources for addressing bullying, substance abuse, and conflicts among students.