Equal Sentencing - The current judicial process in the United States consists of juries who decide the guilt of a suspect, and judges who decide a sentence. Often times different judges order different lengths of sentences for a similar crime, sometimes the same judge may order different lengths of sentences for a similar crime. The goal of equal sentencing policy will be to ensure that convicted criminals receive the same sentences if they have committed a similar crime, assuming all other variables are the same. Equalization of sentencing will take into account type of crime, degree, criminal record and possibly other variables. All convicted crimes that have the same variables should receive the same sentences. The equalization process will be done mainly by computer. The sentences and details of each crime will be entered into a computer program at the time of the conviction. Based on all the variables the computer will sort and organize the crimes and create average sentences. The state government will retain the right to investigate if there is evidence that inaccurate information was entered. Sentence lengths by judges will also be kept track of, if there are patterns of unequal sentencing, the state will retain the right to investigate, rebuke, and dismiss judges if necessary. The different degrees of crime should all be properly defined.
Double Reporting - Double reporting is essentially a system that allows a victim or witness to report the crime twice, once to the police and once to a second source. This is essentially to ensure the case is filed. Currently crimes are strictly reported to the police, although you can report crimes to the FBI as well. Police are the first filter in the judicial process, they choose whether a crime turns into a case and is pursued. Many reports never turn into cases, and many cases are never pursued. This mainly has to do with severity of crime, budget limitations, and how busy the police are at that moment. A double reporting system will simply allow an individual to report the crime to two different agencies, the second report will simply be for record keeping, a computer can automatedly create a case number and text it or email it to the individual reporting the crime. If the crime is not pursued and the individual feels it is truly necessary for the crime to be pursued they can contact the second agency, and request the case is pursued. The second agency will mainly only pursue if it is a serious crime. The Police Review Board will be assigned this task.
Make Drug Use Illegal - Currently drug possession is not criminalized in Oregon. Drug use however can be. I plan to make all drug use criminalized for all drugs that are currently illegal in Oregon. Various suggested consequences can be used. For those who are debilitated by drugs, arrests can be made. Once prison and jails are reformed they can be used, for now rehab centers will probably be used. For drug users who are not debilitated, especially if their working, fines can be used based on income, required drug testing can be done once a month, ankle monitors can possibly be used, if necessary consequences can be increased.
Drug Raids - In order to detect drugs more efficiently, drugs raids can be done. Drugs raids will be done with small teams of officers with sniffing dogs. Officers will go to locations where drugs are more likely to be detected such as, homeless camps, max trains, high rise apartments, shipping centers, etc. Drug dogs can be assigned to shipping center permanenty and staff can be trained.
Anti Theft - Theft is an issue for business sustainability. A big issue with theft is it can be difficult to detect, as security don't always know if a person is stealing. In order to prevent theft at stores, facial recognition cameras can be used. Teams can be hired to retroactively search the video footage for thieves and then begin to create a list of thieves. Images and information of culprits can then be sent to other stores, and security can be alerted if these individuals enter the store. If they attempt to steal a security guard can intercept. Police can also go after them retroactively. Consequences can be based on circumstances. If they're working they can be fined based on income. If they're homeless, community service or jail time can be assigned. The retroactive searching will cost some money, not certain the amount. In order to maximize efficiency of the process certain information from the stores could potentially be helpful. If stores have information of when theft occurred at higher rates, video footage of this time can be searched. If stores know which items were stolen at the highest rates, videos of these isles can be searched. Other solutions for theft include having less entrances and exits, which makes it easier for security to guard doors at a lower cost. Security should also have the proper legal rights to detain. Security could have remote controls to lock doors.
Requiring Surveys For Prosecuted Suspects - Surveys can be taken by prosecuted criminals in order to help identify causes of crime. Data is often collected by scientific studies to identify causes, but if it is required during the trial process it could be collected more efficiently and thoroughly.
Security at Schools - In order to stop school shootings security could be tighter. The best thing to do would be to have single entrances and keep all other doors locked. Designing schools so all classrooms are connected in one building can make security easier as well. If buildings are separated, students have to travel from one building to another leaving them more vulnerable. More entrances have to be open as well.
Text 911 - Educating people on the use of texting 911 could be useful, as it is more efficient. I will work on maximizing the efficiency of this process, creating well organized automated messages.
Screening - General screening can be done for the public through the use of text messages. Once a year a general text message can be sent out to the public to see if anyone has been victimized that hasn't reported.
Police Training – Police in the United States on average have around 6 months of training, compared to other countries that often have multiple years of training. I will work with the police to potentially increase training.1
Hiring More Police Officers – Portland has some of the lowest rates of police compared to other cities at 1.2 per 1,000. When compared to homicide rates the lower rate isn’t as significant, but none the less more police could help solve crimes quicker, and pursue more cases.2 Clearance rates of crimes in the United States are currently around 40-50%.3 Clearance rates are the percent of arrests made relative to official cases police make. Not all crimes reported are turned into cases, so the real clearance rate is even lower.
References
1 The Institute for Criminal Justice Training Reform. Not Enough Training. Retrieved fromhttps://www.trainingreform.org/not-enough-training
2 Retrieved from https://www.wweek.com/news/2022/09/28/portland-ranks-48th-among-50-big-cities-for-cops-per-capita/
3 FBI. Percent of Offenses Cleared by Arrest or Exceptional Means. Retrieved from https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/tables/table-25/table_25_percent_of-offenses_cleared_by_arrest_by_population_group_2013.xls