|
Mark Warner on Crime
Democratic Jr Senator; previously Governor
|
|
|
Co-sponsored Justice in Policing Act
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Mark Warner: Yes. Co-sponsored Justice in Policing Act "to hold law enforcement accountable ., improve transparency ., and reform police training and policies."
Daniel Gade: Yes on oversight. Says he cares about criminal justice reform "passionately," with many "in jail who don't need to be." Says police unions may protect "bad apples."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 Virginia Senate race
, Sep 30, 2020
Endorsed by Virginia Police Benevolent Association
Warner’s speech was followed by a news conference in which he was endorsed by about 30 law enforcement officials as well as the Virginia Police Benevolent Association. Warner was endorsed last month by the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police.
Floyd County Sheriff Shannon Zeman, a Republican, said that despite his party affiliation, he’s supporting Warner, calling him “a friend of mine, a friend of law enforcement.”
Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Roanoke Times
, Sep 19, 2008
Initiated statewide Amber Alert system
Both men started out by citing what they’d done to boost law enforcement during their respective political careers. “It’s easy to stand up here and say I support you. The best evidence of that is not the talk, but the actions when you have the
opportunity,” Warner said. He said he’d shown that support by helping initiate the statewide Amber Alert system, investing in a new radio system, toughening anti-drunken-driving laws and helping to fund salaries with the hard-fought 2004 budget.
Source: 2008 VA Senate debate reported in The Roanoke Times
, Sep 19, 2008
2004: much-needed funding for law enforcement
In recent years, the Virginia State Police, Sheriff’s Offices, and other law enforcement agencies have faced significant challenges in recruiting, training and retaining enough officers to meet the demand for protecting Virginia’s citizens. Governor
Warner’s 2004 budget reforms allowed Virginia to provide much-needed funding for law enforcement officials at the state and local level.At the end of the Governor’s term, there were 125 more troopers on Virginia’s roads than when he took office.
Source: 2008 Senate campaign website, markwarner2008.com, “Issues”
, Mar 9, 2008
Supports a fair death penalty
Mark Warner supports the death penalty. But Mark knows that when government has the authority to take someone’s life, it must do everything reasonably possible to make sure that the government convicts the right person.
Recently Virginia has had to commute the sentence of a death row inmate when DNA evidence showed that he didn’t commit the crime.
Mark is committed to DNA testing as an important new tool to prove the guilt or innocence of those charged with capital crimes.
Mark will continue to consider ways to modify Virginia’s law limiting the introduction of new evidence 21 days after trial to ensure that no innocent people are subjected to death row because of some arbitrary deadline.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001
More enforcement and more prevention
Mark Warner knows that a law is worthless if it’s not enforced. His policy will be simple: if you break the law, you’ll be punished. People need to know that if they commit crimes and disrupt the safety of our communities, they’ll be punished to
the fullest extent of the law. Crime prevention is critical, and it just makes good common sense. Every $1 invested in crime prevention saves $3 down the road. But even when the law is enforced and criminals are arrested and convicted, a crime has
still been committed. A comprehensive public safety strategy includes aggressive efforts to prevent crimes from happening in the first place. Mark has built a career of creating jobs and promoting economic opportunity, and he knows that
when people are working, they aren’t committing crimes. A job is the best crime-fighting program around. Mark is committed to promoting economic opportunity all over Virginia to give young people hope and help them to see that crime doesn’t pay.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001
Focus juvenile justice on workforce training
When juveniles commit crimes, they should be punished. But juvenile centers are not prisons, and every juvenile in detention will one day make the transition back to the community. Often juveniles come out of jail lacking any preparation to be successful
in life. Virginia’s juvenile justice system needs a stronger commitment to re-entry programs and career training, so that when juveniles ultimately leave the system, they will be equipped to enter the workforce as productive members of society.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001
Supports Virginia’s victim’s bill of rights
Often it seems that the justice system ignores the victims of crime.
Mark supports Virginia’s victim’s bill of rights.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001
Abolish parole
Nothing is more important than keeping families safe and secure. That’s why Mark supports community policing and the abolition of parole. Because a job is the best crime-fighting program around,
Mark is committed to promoting economic opportunity all over Virginia to give young people hope and help them to see that crime doesn’t pay.
Source: Campaign web site, MarkWarner2001.org/issues
, Nov 6, 2001
First step: reduce recidivism & mass incarceration.
Warner voted YEA First Step Act
Congressional Summary:
- TITLE I--RECIDIVISM REDUCTION: establish a risk and needs assessment system to evaluate the recidivism risk of prisoners; to guide housing assignments; and to reward participation in recidivism reduction programs.
- TITLE II--BUREAU OF PRISONS SECURE FIREARMS STORAGE: allow federal correctional officers to securely store and carry concealed firearms on BOP premises outside the security perimeter of a prison.
- TITLE III--RESTRAINTS ON PREGNANT PRISONERS PROHIBITED: limits the use of restraints on federal prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery.
- TITLE IV--SENTENCING REFORM: reduces the enhanced mandatory minimum prison terms for certain repeat drug offenses.
Opposing press release from Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-1):: The reform sentencing laws in this bill may compromise the safety of our communities. Criminals convicted of violent crimes would have the opportunity to
achieve 'low risk' status and become eligible for early release. California already has similar laws in place--Propositions 47 and 57--which have hamstrung law enforcement and caused a significant uptick in crime.
Supporting press release from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10):: S. 756 establishes a new system to reduce the risk that [federal prisoners] will commit crimes once they are released. Critically, S. 756 would not only implement these reforms to our prison system, but it also takes a crucial first step toward addressing grave concerns about our sentencing laws, which have for years fed a national crisis of mass incarceration. The bill is a 'first step' that demonstrates that we can work together to make the system fairer in ways that will also reduce crime and victimization.
Legislative outcome: Concurrence Passed Senate, 87-12-1, on Dec. 18, 2018; Concurrence Passed House 358-36-28, Dec. 20, 2018; President Trump signed, Dec. 21, 2018
Source: Congressional vote 18-S756 on Dec 20, 2018
Rated 64% by the NAPO, indicating a moderate stance on police issues.
Warner scores 64% by the NAPO on crime & police issues
Ratings by the National Association of Police Organizations indicate support or opposition to issues of importance to police and crime. The organization's self-description: "The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police units and associations from across the United States. NAPO was organized for the purpose of advancing the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative advocacy, political action, and education.
"Increasingly, the rights and interests of law enforcement officers have been the subject of legislative, executive, and judicial action in the nation’s capital. NAPO works to influence the course of national affairs where law enforcement interests are concerned. The following list includes examples of NAPO’s accomplishments:
- Enactment of the Fair Sentencing Act
- Enactment of the National AMBER Alert Act
- Enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act
- Enactment of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act
- Enactment of the Law Enforcement Officers' Safety Act (Right to Carry Legislation)
VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:
- 0%-50%: soft on crime and police issues;
- 50%-75%: mixed record on crime and police issues;
- 75%-100%: tough on crime and police issues.
Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014
Warner opposes the Christian Coalition survey question on defunding the police
The Christian Coalition inferred whether candidates agree or disagree with the statement, 'Defunding Law Enforcement Agencies at the Federal, State, and Local Level ?'
Self-description by Christian Coalition of America: "These guides help give voters a clear understanding of where candidates stand on important pro-family issues" for all Senate and Presidential candidates.
Source: CC Survey 20CC-9A on Sep 10, 2020
Page last updated: Dec 27, 2021