Michael Steele on Crime Republican challenger, Lt. Gov.

More focus on victims of violent crime

Protect Victims of Violent Crime:
• Congress should fully-fund the Justice for All Act to help remove the DNA backlog and provide complete justice for rape victims, greatly expanding the ability for state and federal law enforcement officials to track down and prosecute violent criminals.
• Protect funding for the Victims of Crime Act, which Pres. Bush has proposed moving to a general fund, so criminal fines and penalties will continue to support victim assistance and prevention programs.

Mandatory sentencing guidelines for child sex offenders

Prosecute Sex Offenders:
• Ensure sentencing guidelines for child sex offenders are mandatory - not just advisory.
• Work with Internet providers, credit card companies, and Internet search engines to form a partnership dedicated to ending the evil pursuits of online child predators and child pornographers.
• Secure funding for the Sex Offender and Compliance Enforcement in Maryland (SOCEM), which protects Maryland families and children from sex offenders.

Combat the proliferation of gangs

Michael worked to combat the proliferation of gangs threatening the well-being of Maryland communities and the safety of Maryland children. Michael led the way in convening a Statewide Planning Group to develop a strategy to both prevent and respond to gang activity.

Personally opposed to the death penalty

Use anti-terrorism tools on criminals in our neighborhoods