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Mailbag: State is returning too many criminals to our streets

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As an elected official, it is becoming harder and harder to keep our communities safe. The state’s misguided “realignment” plan is sending hardened criminals who belong in state prison back to our streets.

Despite determined efforts by key law enforcement officials, such as Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens, who is setting the standard for requiring prisoners to serve their sentences, criminals are being released elsewhere and once out, they respect no boundaries. In my city, 70% of crime is committed by people from outside Newport Beach.

While those released by realignment commit mostly property crimes, it is drunk driving that has claimed the lives of more than 774 California residents and over 10,000 nationally. The most important thing a city can do to keep its residents safe is to reduce the number of drunk drivers on its streets.

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What can we do? In Newport Beach we have added four police officers specifically focused on property crime to respond to realignment and the increase in criminals back on the street. We have worked with responsible bar and restaurant owners to train bartenders to recognize impairment and to cut off patrons before they become dangerous to others behind the wheel and we have vigorously utilized DUI checkpoints to apprehend drunk drivers.

Our unique “Operators Permit” system involves the Police Department in reviewing new drinking establishments. Local governments also need the tools to control local land use to crack down on businesses that can front for prostitution. Prior to the change in state law, Newport Beach cracked down on illegal massage establishments near the airport, and we have kept them out of town. In the Legislature, I will be an advocate of expanded state prison capacity and the restoration of parole violations as an effective means of getting criminals off the streets.

Technology can also play a part. License plate readers are a force multiplier and we have used surveillance cameras to protect property when officers cannot be there in person. My opponent in my Assembly campaign has opposed the use of surveillance cameras to address crime in downtown Huntington Beach and has opposed restrictions on drinking establishments.

We, as a society, must also elevate the rights of crime victims. Too often they are left to pick up the pieces of their lives by a system that does not recognize its responsibility to ensure justice for them as well. That is why I am so proud to be endorsed by Crime Victims United. Together we can make our community safer and more secure for our children and grandchildren.

Keith Curry

Newport Beach

The writer is a Newport Beach councilman and a candidate for the 74th Assembly District.

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Measure Y mailings appear to be misleading

Makes me wonder. Seems like every day now when I go to the mailbox there is a slick flier promoting Measure Y’s “qualities.”

Measure Y proponents seem to be trying too hard. Claims of balance and thoughtful planning; claims of keeping Newport Beach unique and charming; claims for strong neighborhoods; photos of traffic-less streets. Wow, nirvana.

Only problem is all this literature does not describe the Newport Beach that I currently live in, nor does it describe the Newport Beach of the future, should Measure Y pass.

I already live in a strong neighborhood, one strongly opposed to Measure Y. One million square feet and less traffic “overall.” Give me the address to “overall,” and I’ll move there now.

I wish Newport Beach were unique and charming. Have you driven around Fashion Island, Newport Center and Newport Coast lately? Is “charming” the word you would use to describe these “neighborhoods”? And don’t forget about all the “charming” new development on Mariner’s Mile, Lido and West Newport. One million square feet of new development hangs in the balance, if Measure Y passes, adding more “charm” to Newport Beach than we can possibly handle.

But my favorite are the two photos: one of The Boardwalk and one of East Coast Highway in Corona de Mar with no traffic. I don’t know about you, but the only time I’ve see this little traffic on those two thoroughfares is about 6 on a Sunday morning.

Karen Tringali

Corona del Mar

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Measure Y arguments are opaque

I believe in transparency in government, which makes the ballot language of Measure Y all the more distasteful. Instead of presenting a complete set of facts for voters to consider, the City Council has hidden the real intent of Measure Y behind misleading statistics.

Even the arguments for Measure Y on the city website are misleading: the City Council can enact any traffic mitigation or water-quality improvements that it wishes to do without passage of Measure Y. Measure Y appears to exist only to circumvent the required Greenlight vote to allow more traffic and density in Newport Beach. A yes vote on Measure Y will give approval for huge development in Newport Center and around the airport. Only a no vote will protect our quality of life.

Lois O. Levine

Newport Beach

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This is `healthy’ eating?

Re. “Is that yogurt parfait on students’ plates? Eating healthy is schools’ goal,” (Oct. 2): Call me old fashioned, but I’ve never thought of pizza as a good nutritional meal. But if we check with the government, we find that in 2011 the Feds determined that pizza with two tablespoons of tomato paste qualifies as a vegetable. Which makes me wonder, how much lettuce do you have to put on a cheeseburger to call it a salad?

Rob Macfarlane

Newport Beach

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