State of Missouri Archives: on Crime
Eric Greitens:
The defund-the-police movement has led to rising violence
[On defunding the police]: "I think when you look at what Joe Biden's done at the border. When you look at the left's campaign against the police. This tremendous defund the police movement which has led to rising violence.
When you look at the actions they've taken to kill small businesses. The actions they have taken that are hurting American workers. All of these things suggest to us, prove to us, the country is really in crisis right now," he said.
Source: KAIT-TV ABC-8 on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Apr 1, 2021
Eric Greitens:
OpEd: most pro-police governor in the country
As governor, Greitens prohibited lobbyist gifts, killed a pay raise for politicians, and ended a corrupt tax credit program that lined the pockets of insiders at the expense of Missourians. He got rid of bureaucrats who failed our veterans.
He backed our cops. Let me say that again; He backed our cops. Every. Single. Day. He was the most pro-police governor in the country.
Source: Newsmax e-zine on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Mar 12, 2021
Roy Blunt:
Riot: Trump touched hot stove, unlikely to touch it again
Q: Is the President a danger to the country [after the Capitol riots]?BLUNT: I think the President's decisions and his actions that day and leading up to that day on this topic were clearly reckless. My personal view is that the President touched the
hot stove and is unlikely to touch it again. And if that's the case, every day, we get closer to the last day of his presidency. We should be thinking more about the first day of the next presidency than the last day of his presidency, in my view.
Source: CBS Meet the Press on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Jan 10, 2021
Mike Parson:
Time to stand up and support law enforcement
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Mike Parson: No. "Now is the time to `stand up and support' law enforcement." Officers need to have the "tools" to fight violent criminals.
Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supports ban on choke holds and no-knock warrants. "The disparities in our criminal justice system are real." Must make Missouri accountable to all citizens.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Nicole Galloway:
Ban choke holds and no-knock warrants
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Nicole Galloway: Yes. Supports ban on choke holds and no-knock warrants. "The disparities in our criminal justice system are real." Must make Missouri accountable to all citizens.
Mike Parson: No. "Now is the time to `stand up and support' law enforcement." Officers need to have the "tools" to fight violent criminals.
Source: CampusElect survey on 2020 Missouri Gubernatorial race
Nov 3, 2020
Mike Kehoe:
Against policies that raise taxes, defund police departments
Kehoe said, "I want to make sure that we don't allow some of the crazy things that you're seeing on the other side of the aisle take place in Missouri."
More specifically, he said he is against policies and programs that would expand government, raise taxes, defund police departments and be against capitalism or jobs.
Source: Fulton Sun on 2022 Missouri Senate race
Sep 12, 2020
Mike Parson:
Expand "dangerous felonies" to include guns & less probation
Coverage of SB600 by The Missouri Times:ÿSB 600 changes the definition of "dangerous felonies" to include armed criminal action, carjacking, and conspiracy. Additionally, it denies eligibility to offenders of felonies involving a deadly
weapon. [The bill's sponsor noted]: "Much of our crime is caused by a small group of repeat offenders who are on the streets because liberal prosecutors release them on probation--65% of dangerous felons put on probation have re-offended. SB 600 ends
this catch-and-release practice."
The bill has seen opposition from a number of organizations, including the ACLU and AFP-MO, which urged the governor to veto the bill. The organizations cited that the "bill doesn't make Missourians safer and forces
taxpayers to pay half a billion dollars for two new prisons.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 27-2-2 on Mar/20/20; Passed House 97-51-14 on May/15/20; Signed by Governor Mike Parson on Jul/6/20
Source: The Missouri Times on Missouri voting record SB600
Jul 6, 2020
Jim Neely:
Don't expand definition of "dangerous felonies"
Coverage of SB600 by The Missouri Times:ÿSB 600 changes the definition of "dangerous felonies" to include armed criminal action, carjacking, and conspiracy. Additionally, it denies eligibility to offenders of felonies involving a deadly
weapon. [The bill's sponsor noted]: "Much of our crime is caused by a small group of repeat offenders who are on the streets because liberal prosecutors release them on probation--65% of dangerous felons put on probation have re-offended. SB 600 ends
this catch-and-release practice."
The bill has seen opposition from a number of organizations, including the ACLU and AFP-MO, which urged the governor to veto the bill. The organizations cited that the "bill doesn't make Missourians safer and forces
taxpayers to pay half a billion dollars for two new prisons.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 27-2-2 on Mar/20/20; Passed House 97-51-14 on May/15/20; State Rep. Jim Neely voted NO; Signed by Governor Mike Parson on Jul/6/20
Source: The Missouri Times on Missouri voting record SB600
May 15, 2020
Scott Sifton:
Expand "dangerous felonies" to include guns & less probation
Coverage of SB600 by The Missouri Times:ÿSB 600 changes the definition of "dangerous felonies" to include armed criminal action, carjacking, and conspiracy. Additionally, it denies eligibility to offenders of felonies involving a deadly
weapon. [The bill's sponsor noted]: "Much of our crime is caused by a small group of repeat offenders who are on the streets because liberal prosecutors release them on probation--65% of dangerous felons put on probation have re-offended. SB 600 ends
this catch-and-release practice."
The bill has seen opposition from a number of organizations, including the ACLU and AFP-MO, which urged the governor to veto the bill. The organizations cited that the "bill doesn't make Missourians safer and forces
taxpayers to pay half a billion dollars for two new prisons.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 27-2-2 on Mar/20/20; State Sen. Scott Sifton voted YES; Passed House 97-51-14 on May/15/20; Signed by Governor Mike Parson on Jul/6/20
Source: The Missouri Times on Missouri voting record SB600
Mar 20, 2020
Nicole Galloway:
Need answers on probation, parole reward program
Many Ozarks sheriffs say the new rules are too soft on crime, and believe it rewards offenders for behavior they say isn't deserving of rewards, specifically to people on Probation or parole. "These are basic questions to answer that
need to be answered from a governmental entity on how they're handling this program that's giving away incentives to offenders on parole," said Galloway. "Law enforcement, sheriffs, and crime victims have valid questions that need to be answered."
Source: KY3-News on 2020 Missouri gubernatorial race
Feb 26, 2020
Jim Neely:
Let courts reduce life-without-parole to include parole
Bill sponsorships by Jim Neely: - Allows a court to reduce a life without parole sentence to a sentence of life with eligibility for parole in certain circumstances
1/23/2020: Read Second Time (House) -
Requires Amber alerts to include an embedded Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that references a resource on the internet that provides additional information or technological capabilities
1/30/2020: Read Second Time (House) - Requires lethal injections to be administered in a manner that allows consenting inmates to donate organs: AN ACT To repeal sections 536.010 and 546.720,
RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof two new sections relating to state executions.
1/30/2020: Referred: General Laws(House)
Source: Ballotpedia.org on Missouri legislative voting record
Jan 30, 2020
Mike Parson:
I am not interested in building more prisons
As many of you know, the Department of Corrections is faced with many challenges. AND, we will NOT shy away from these challenges. As a former sheriff and law enforcement officer for over 22 year
I understand, firsthand, the importance of re-entry programs and alternative sentencing. We need to be more efficient in these programs so we truly offer a second chance AND as Governor, I am NOT interested in building more prisons.
Source: 2020 Missouri State of the State address
Jan 15, 2020
Jim Neely:
Death penalty too easy; force perverts to do hard labor
Republican State SenatorÿWieland says his religious opposition to abortion has a moral flip-side; as a Catholic, he believes theÿgovernment shouldn't be in the business of executing people.
It's not like Wieland is turning his back on the tough-on-crime ethos. The state senator says serving a life sentence in prison is far worse than a quick death.
Republican Representative Jim Neely, a co-sponsor to the House version of Wieland bill, took that argument to its logical extreme, "The perverts that perpetrate horrific
crimes deserve much crueler punishment than we can constitutionally carry out as a State. Our best legal option is to lock these people away and force them to do hard labor until they die."
Source: St. Louis Riverfront Times on Missouri voting record SB.816
May 17, 2019
Eric Greitens:
Facing trial for felony charge of invasion of privacy
Gov. Greitens has acknowledged having an affair that began before he launched his campaign for governor but has denied doing anything criminal. He faces a May 14 trial on a felony charge of invasion of privacy, where he's accused of taking the woman's
picture while she was bound, blindfolded and at least partially nude.He repeatedly has told the public that most of what it knows is based on "lies and falsehoods" generated by "political witch hunts." He said the public will learn "the truth" during
the trial and that he will be exonerated.
A seven-member committee said in its new report that it finds that the woman's "answer to a specific question whether she saw a phone does not bear on her testimony about other events.
To the contrary, her reluctance to state under oath that she specifically remembers seeing the phone adds to her credibility."
[Gov. Greitens resigned once impeachment proceedings started].
Source: News-Tribune on 2018 Missouri Gubernatorial impeachment
Apr 30, 2018
Tony Monetti:
Stronger emphasis on policing
We have a responsibility to protect our citizens. We can do this through a stronger emphasis on policing and prosecuting those dangerous criminals who target the welfare and safety of our citizens; such as, violent offenders,
human and drug traffickers, sex offenders, child pornographers, and violent illegal immigrants. We must provide our law enforcement agencies with the proper training and equip them to do the job.
Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website MonettiForSenate.com
Oct 15, 2017
Austin Petersen:
End mandatory minimums
This is absolutely a constitutional conservative issue. We need to reinstate the Founders' original intent with regards to constitutional checks and balances by eliminating federal "mandatory minimums" laws and
restoring power to the judicial branch. We need to end the practice of "civil asset forfeiture"--also known as legal governmental theft. And we need to end, once and for all, the federal government's "war on drugs."
Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website AustinPetersen.com
Oct 1, 2017
Josh Hawley:
Use anti-riot laws on crowds protesting police shootings
The AG wants anti-rioting laws to be enforced after this weekend's vandalism across the St. Louis region. The vandalism began after the Jason Stockley verdict [where a white police officer was acquitted of the shooting death of a black driver].
"Missouri has laws against rioting, against vandalism, against assaulting police officers and those laws need to be enforced," Hawley says. "And local officials have the responsibility to enforce the law." Hawley says citizens who demonstrate
peacefully must be protected, vandal and looters must be prosecuted. "Violence is not protected by the 1st Amendment," says Hawley.
About 1,000 protesters gathered outside the St. Louis City Justice Center. St. Louis Circuit Judge Timothy Wilson found
Stockley not guilty of first degree murder and armed criminal action, for the December 2011 shooting death of Anthony Lamar Smith during a police chase. Meantime, St. Louis Police say they made 123 arrests.
Source: MissouriNet on 2018 Missouri Senate race
Sep 19, 2017
Angelica Earl:
Prison not the solution for victimless crimes
There are far too many people in prison. Prisons get paid by the federal government to stay full. These companies lobby to push for tougher laws to have more people jailed for victimless crimes. Veterans are filling up jails for using medicinal
marijuana. The war on drugs is failed. The school to prison pipeline in poverty stricken and black communities needs to stop. I intend on pushing to reform current criminal justice laws.
Source: 2018 Missouri Senatorial website AngelicaForMissouri.com
Sep 15, 2017
Josh Hawley:
Apply consumer protection laws to pursue human traffickers
Missouri AG Josh Hawley announced his office will begin to target human traffickers through new regulations under Missouri's consumer protection laws, an effort supporters hope will lead to more prosecutions. Consumer protection regulations
are typically used to combat unfair trade practices. Using them in this context gives law enforcement additional tools to go after traffickers. Hawley explained the new regulations will be easier to enforce and won't rely as much on victim cooperation.
Source: St. Louis Post Dispatch on 2018 Missouri Senate race
Apr 3, 2017
Eric Greitens:
Fight Ferguson Effect with Blue Alert to empower police
Three of the eleven most violent cities in America are in Missouri--St. Louis, Kansas City, and Springfield. This violence affects far too many families--mine included. And it's not just in the cities. When you talk to sheriffs, chiefs of police, and
front line officers around the state, they'll tell you it's getting harder to do police work. They'll tell you about what the FBI has identified: The Ferguson Effect.They'll tell you that it's harder to recruit people to become police officers, and
the officers who are on the job feel less empowered to proactively police. I want to establish a Blue Alert system, so that we can find and bring swift justice to anyone who assaults a law enforcement officer. And my administration will work to pass the
toughest laws in the country for anyone who assaults a peace officer. We need to make sure that our state highway patrol, that our corrections officers, have nonlethal tools like TASERs and adequate body armor when they are called to go into harm's way.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Missouri Legislature
Jan 17, 2017
Jason Kander:
End school-to-prison pipeline
Q: On Prisons: Switch money from prisons to preventive measures like education and social services?Blunt: Unknown
Kander: End "school-to-prison pipeline" and "ban the box" to increase post-incarceration opportunities.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Missouri Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Lester Turilli:
Stricter punishment does not always deter crimeÿ
Q: Your comments on the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"? A: Stricter punishment does not always deter crime. ÿUponÿpenitentiary release, a large majority of felons return to criminal activity.
More emphasis and support should be given to similar programs as our Drug Treatment Courts which have had tremendous success in helping Missourians through accountability, education, and treatment.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Missouri candidacy by OnTheIssues
Apr 25, 2016
Eric Greitens:
Get first responders needed training, equipment, & support
POLICE OFFICERS AND FIREFIGHTERS NEED OUR SUPPORT. I believe police officers and firefighters should be honored for the hard work they do. They deserve to be led not by lawyers, but by leaders; and
I pledge to be strong for those who are always on call for us. As Governor, I'll make sure that they have the training, the equipment, and the support that they need to do their job.
Source: 2016 Missouri Governor campaign website EricGreitens.com
Oct 9, 2015
Chris Koster:
Deliver justice to those who break our laws
Twice elected to serve as the Attorney General for the State of Missouri, Chris Koster has governed the way he promised: delivering justice to those who break our laws, defending working families, and fighting against powerful interests that
have done wrong to people of our state.Chris is a hands-on Attorney General, personally prosecuting many high profile cases and arguing before the United States Supreme Court on behalf of Missouri.
As one of Missouri's most experienced prosecutors, Chris has personally convicted some of our state's most notorious murders and has overseen more than 100 murder convictions during his career.
As Attorney General, one of his most important duties is supervising our state's legal process surrounding the imposition of the death penalty.
Source: 2016 Missouri gubernatorial campaign website ChrisKoster.com
Sep 9, 2015
Peter Kinder:
Preserve law & order, even when there are riots & looting
- Maintain Law and Order: The first responsibility of state government is to preserve order. In the last year, there has been a vacuum of leadership created by Jay Nixon and Chris Koster.
-
Fought for Missouri: Kinder was the only statewide elected voice for the people and businesses of Ferguson as [opponent] Koster and [incumbent] Nixon stood by and did nothing to prevent the riots and looting.
Source: 2016 Missouri Gubernatorial campaign website PeterKinder.com
Sep 9, 2015
Jay Nixon:
More DWI arrests save more lives
Last year, we passed historic DWI legislation with strong bipartisan support. That new law is making our highways safer for everyone. With us tonight is Highway Patrol Sergeant Blaine Adams from Poplar Bluff--who has made an amazing 1,060
DWI arrests--more than any other current member of the patrol. 1,060 DWI arrests. Can you imagine how many lives this one Trooper has saved? Please stand and accept the gratitude of your state.
Source: 2011 Missouri State of the State Address
Jan 19, 2011
Bob Holden:
Lower drunk driving limit to .08
Right now, in Missouri, the blood alcohol content for being arrested as a drunk driver is .10, even though all the evidence shows that a driver is substantially impaired at the .08 level.An analysis of the first five states that lowered the blood alcohol
limit to .08 revealed significant decreases in fatal crashes related to alcohol in four out of the five. The tremendous toll in human life and suffering our higher blood alcohol content law is causing should be more than sufficient reason to lower the
legal limit. And federal authorities are also sending us a signal of how important they feel this issue is. We are losing federal incentive money for our highways by not adopting .08. We would be receiving an additional $3 million every year now. If we
don’t pass a .08 law by October 1, 2003, we will be paying a sanction in the neighborhood of $8 million-a penalty that increases to $32 million in 2007 if we still haven’t passed the bill. Let’s make it happen this year.
Source: 2001 State of the State speech in Missouri House Chambers
Jan 30, 2001
Catherine Hanaway:
No parole for repeat felons; yes on death penalty
Hanaway indicated support for the following principles to address crime.- Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
-
Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
- End parole for repeat violent felons.
- Support the use of the death penalty.
- Prosecute juveniles who commit murder or other serious violent crimes as adults.
Source: Missouri Legislative 1998 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 1998
Nancy Farmer:
No death penalty, more community policing
Principles which Farmer supports regarding crime : - Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
- Expand and promote “community policing” programs.
- Oppose the death penalty.
Source: 1996 Missouri National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1996
Nancy Farmer:
Mandatory sentencing, but fund rehabilitation & alternatives
Principles which Farmer supports regarding crime : - Require mandatory life sentences for third-time, violent felons.
- Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
-
Increase state funds for programs which rehabilitate and educate inmates during and after their prison sentences.
- Increase state funding for local community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
Source: 1996 Missouri National Political Awareness Test
Jul 2, 1996
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021