Senator david blount (601-359-3232)
Legislative report: April 30, 2008
Crime is a major issue for Hinds County. I spent a major part of this past legislative session working to make sure our state government provides all possible help to our local law enforcement. I’m pleased to say we made significant progress.
I was the primary author of two bills that have passed both the Senate and House of Representatives:
· The first set tougher penalties for use of financial information obtained by violent crime such as assault or car-jacking. This bill was referred to as “Miss Breland’s Law,” in honor of the former Jackson teacher who was assaulted in her driveway.
Criminals today don’t just steal to get the money in your purse or wallet. They are after your credit card, your ATM card, or your checkbook. Under this law, identity theft linked to a violent crime would be subject to five additional years in prison. This bill is due from the Governor by May 12 (Senate Bill No. 2712).
· The second bill establishes home invasion as a crime. Currently, the penalty for breaking into an occupied home is no different than the penalty for breaking into a house that is unoccupied. Under this law, the penalty for breaking into a home where people are present will be increased from at least three years to at least ten years. We need to make this distinction in the law to help keep our citizens safe in their homes. This bill has been signed into law.
In addition, we passed the following changes:
· More prosecutors and criminal investigators for Hinds County. We have passed legislation to add two additional Assistant District Attorneys and two more criminal investigators. This should help reduce the backlog on criminal cases and speed up justice. This bill is due from the Governor by May 12 (Senate Bill No. 2751).
· Tougher penalties for copper theft: Copper theft is a crisis in our community. A recent theft at Magnolia Speech School cost the school more than $100,000. Some warning sirens failed to work in the recent tornadoes due to stolen copper. In Jackson, the cost of copper theft has increased by almost two thousand percent since 2003.
The new law mandates a paper trail for the sale of metals like copper, aluminum and platinum. Most importantly, it outlaws the purchase of these metals with cash. Future transactions will be paid for mailed check. Scrap metal dealers will be required to keep more thorough records about the source of metals coming into their shops, including an ID and the license plate of the seller.
Our prosecutors and law enforcement professionals will have the paper trail and evidence needed to catch these criminals. I was one of three Senators who worked on the final version of the bill in conference committee, which ultimately passed and was sent to the Governor. Action is due by May 12 on this bill (House Bill No. 1136).
· I was very disappointed to see legislation giving our Sheriff the power to use radar die. The bill passed the Senate and failed in the House of Representatives. I strongly support giving our Sheriff, Malcolm McMillin, the authority to use radar to keep Hinds County roads safe and will continue to work on this issue.
· Finally, working with Lt. Governor Phil Bryant, Senate Appropriations Chair Sen. Alan Nunnelee, and Chief of Police Malcolm McMillin, we were able to designate $160,000 for the Jackson Police Department to cover overtime costs at state-sponsored events in Jackson. These events (like the State Fair and the Dixie National Rodeo) result in extra man hours for the Jackson Police Department. This is especially important since the overtime budget was largely spent before Chief McMillin took over the department.
All of us have a right to be safe in our homes and neighborhoods. I am proud of what we in the Legislature were able to accomplish for law and order in Hinds County this year.
Magnolia Tribune
