State of West Virginia Archives: on Crime


Stephen Noble Smith: Courts, police, schools will track bias, & get help to fix

All state courthouses and police stations will be required to track rates of arrest, prosecution, conviction, and incarceration, by race. All schools will be required to track rates of discipline, suspension, bullying, and preferential treatment, across various demographics. All state offices will be required to track hiring rates across various demographics. Jurisdictions that demonstrate persistent bias will be given technical assistance to reverse those trends and may lose access to state funding if they fail to address it.

For hundreds of years, Black West Virginians have been robbed of land, fair pay, credit, housing, and freedom, usually with the aid of government. The legacy of racism in America is pernicious and persistent. A WV Truth and Reconciliation Commission would have the responsibility to propose on-going remedies for that racism.

Source: 2020 W.V. Gubernatorial campaign website WVCantWait.com.com Jan 24, 2020

Woody Thrasher: Hard labor & death penalty for drug crimes

West Virginia must become known as a state drug dealers fear. One of my first acts as governor will be to develop a hard labor penalty for drug dealers. Our law enforcement community feels left out of current efforts to address substance use disorder. We must encourage all hands on deck. In drug crimes that result in death, including the sale of tainted drugs, when the guilt of a person is established beyond all possible doubt, we should consider the death penalty.
Source: 2020 W.V. Governor campaign website WoodyThrasher2020.com Dec 13, 2019

Patrick Morrisey: $1M more for state police drug testing in criminal cases

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday his agency is transferring $1 million to the state police in an effort to end a backlog of drug testing in criminal cases.

Morrisey said the transfer was made possible as the result of settlements with drug wholesalers accused of flooding the state with millions of prescription pain pills.

The State Police Forensic Laboratory examines drug seizures from every police department in West Virginia. The drug testing backlog intensifies regional jail crowding by affecting bail consideration for suspects. It also adds to county inmate costs. "We have to make sure that we end this terrible backlog," Morrisey said at a news conference.

Morrisey's office also gave the state police $1 million last year to hire additional analysts, offer overtime and purchase necessary equipment. Since 2013, Morrisey has returned more than $39 million to the state's general fund.

Source: US News & World Report on 2018 W.V. Senate race Oct 3, 2017

John Buckley: Neutral on whether stricter enforcement is effective

Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?

A: Neutral.

Source: Email interview on 2014 W.V. Senate race with OnTheIssues Sep 5, 2014

Earl Ray Tomblin: Texting while driving now illegal; add phoning & drugs

Texting while driving is now illegal and on July 1st talking on a hand-held phone while driving will be against the law. We've kept our promise to make eliminating substance abuse a top priority--and now--laws are on the books to shutdown "pill mills" and stop "doctor shopping." We listened to our communities and invested in drug treatment programs--and we told those who need free job training that they must pass a drug test--first.

We must continue to support our law enforcement officers and give them the tools they need to protect us, our families, and our communities. We know that driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem, but so is driving under the influence of drugs. Tonight, I'm proposing legislation to make it clear that officers have implied consent upon reasonable cause. When drivers who are under the influence of drugs are pulled over, they can be properly identified, tested, and removed from our roadways.

Source: 2013 State of the State Address to W.V. Legislature Feb 13, 2013

Jeff Kessler: More state prisons; also penalties other than incarceration

Source: W.V. Congressional 2008 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2008

  • The above quotations are from State of West Virginia Politicians: Archives.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Crime:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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