COMMUNITY COMMENTARY:

Much to my disappointment, I opened the Independent recently to find a commentary by Josh Barnett (“Orange County Republicans must unite to keep felons imprisoned,” Oct. 11), a member of the California Republican Assembly, questioning my commitment to keeping dangerous criminals behind bars and falsely claiming that I support the early release of felons back onto our streets.

Let me be clear on this issue. I never have and never will advocate for or support any scheme that allows or encourages the early release of criminals back onto our streets. As one of the leading proponents of law-and-order legislation in the Senate, allow me to set the record straight by highlighting legislation that I have offered to protect our communities, especially the city where my wife and I raised our two children and have proudly called home for nearly 35 years, Huntington Beach.

This year, I introduced Senate Bill 368, which increases the penalties for would-be child molesters who share or transmit graphic images of child pornography over the Internet.

Another bill I authored, SB 636, attempts to streamline our state’s dysfunctional legal system that allows convicted murderers to stay on Death Row for years, and in some case decades, while they appeal their death penalty conviction.

By eliminating some of the needless and senseless delays in the appeals of death penalty cases, justice can be carried out more swiftly in California.

Another piece of legislation I am proud to jointly author with my colleague, Sen. George Runner (R-Lancaster), is SB 657.

This bill is a comprehensive anti-gang proposal that encourages effective, evidence-based gang intervention and prevention programs. SB 657 also provides resources for gang suppression units, witness protection and relocation, and enhances penalties to provide justice for crime victims.

All these measures and many more like them enjoy overwhelming support from law enforcement and district attorney associations, not to mention numerous Orange County law makers.

So, to respond to Barnett’s claims, if I were to have my way, 3,000 convicted bad guys wouldn’t find their way back to Orange County.

Law enforcement, educators and victim’s rights organizations would have more tools at their disposal to execute justice and keep the bad guys where they belong — behind bars.

I believe, if you do the crime, you must do the time!

Tom Harman is a senator for District 35.