Research for yourself who voted, supported and signed into law Elder Parole (Assembly Bill 1448, now PC 3055). And, research who said nothing.
Why would anyone re-elect someone who supported a child rapist getting released early at 50 years old and living in our communities, which is incredibly dangerous, and say the rapist is an “elder,” when most of us law-abiding folks can’t retire until at least 67? Now all these folks who we voted to make our lives better are trying to go back and fix what they broke.
Research for yourself who voted, supported and signed into law Mental Health Diversion (AB 1810, now PC 1001.36). And, research who said nothing. Why would someone give a person who committed attempted murder no probation, an outpatient program with minimal to no supervision, no criminal record and no protection for the victim and then call that progress? Now all these folks who we voted to make our lives better and safer, and make our children’s lives better and safer, are trying to go back and fix what they broke.
Look at Proposition 47, who voted for it and who supported it. It caused a smash-and-grab and theft crisis. Then we, the people, had to go back and fix the lies the politicians sold us, with Prop. 36. And, look at who said nothing and who continues to do nothing.
Look at Prop. 57, who voted for it and who supported it. It made rape of an intoxicated person a non-violent felony where the rapists got to be released early. This is clearly relevant with our governor’s race and politicians in general. After an uproar, the Legislature was shamed to go back and fix this among other issues with Prop. 57. And, ask yourself who stayed silent.
Look at an adult buying a child for sex. Why would anyone question this being a felony? Why would we have to shame our elected leaders in order to protect children and pass a law doing so?
Look at Senate Bill 357, who supported it, who voted for it and who signed it into law. Now we have 11-year-old girls on the streets at night in L.A. being sex trafficked and law enforcement can do nothing to help them. Who thinks this is a good idea?
I can go on and on. Rehabilitation is important and vital. However, the safety of the public must always come first. And there are some who can sadly never be rehabilitated.
These dangerous bills and propositions have been going on for at least 15 years. Not just in Sacramento but locally as well. It’s a group of folks who haven’t a clue and just treat us all like an experiment until they get it right.
They don’t care about the people who are victimized or re-victimized. They don’t even care about the safety of our children, which is absolutely shameful. They care about themselves. They also lack competency to do the job of creating and passing laws. They operate on emotion instead of with facts. They politicize everything, even the protection of children, which should be universal.
Everything I mentioned above has nothing to do with being a Republican or a Democrat. It has nothing to do with if you support Trump or if you don’t. It has to do with what type of community do you want to live in, raise your children in and have a family in.
I am a Democrat. However, before that, I am a dad, husband, military veteran, child abuse prosecutor, member of my Santa Clarita community, and just a human. I do not vote exclusively for the party. Start doing your research before you vote for someone. Watch others who say nothing then jump on the bandwagon. Watch politicians who don’t vote or abstain in order to manipulate the public and get re-elected instead of taking a position and doing what they are paid to do and what is right.
Don’t be manipulated by a title or saying “most politicians lie.” Try voting for the person.
Jonathan Hatami is a child abuse prosecutor in the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office, and has been a Santa Clarita resident for more than 35 years. The views expressed in his commentary are his own and are not intended to represent the DA’s office.
