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Jared Polis on Crime

 

 


Need to improve preventing and reducing youth crime

While crime rates are down statewide, one area in need of improvement is preventing and reducing youth crime. That is why my budget calls for additional support to prevent crime from happening, expanded resources for youth, and increased bed capacity at the Division of Youth Services, so young adults who do enter the criminal justice system can get back on track and avoid becoming repeat offenders. Youth offenders will be able to stay closer to home and get the support they need faster.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 9, 2025

We are committed to holding cattle rustlers accountable

Livestock theft is unfortunately not a thing of the past, and we are committed to holding cattle rustlers accountable. With local sheriffs and the Brand Board leading the way, I directed our leaders at the Department of Agriculture and Department of Public Safety to coordinate and provide additional support and work closely with local law enforcement to use the full extent of the law to catch and convict wrongdoers.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 9, 2025

Add gender identity for bias-motivated crimes

SB24-189: Concerning gender-related changes to crimes that involve bias.

ACLU summary May 17, 2024: The bill adds gender identity and gender expression to the classes identified in bias-motivated crimes and harassment. The bill redefines sexual orientation for purposes of bias-motivated crimes as an individual's identity, or another individual's perception thereof, in relation to the gender or genders to which the individual is sexually or emotionally attracted and the behavior or social affiliation that may result from the attraction.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 45-17-3 on May/6/24; passed Senate 23-12-0 on May/6/24; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on May/31/24.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado voting record SB24-189 , May 6, 2024

Acted to make criminal penalties for auto theft tougher

When a car is stolen, it impacts employment, health care visits, child care access, and many aspects of daily life. And we invested in technology to locate and return stolen vehicles, and we strengthened the dedicated auto-theft task force. We provided more support for District Attorneys to successfully prosecute the criminals responsible, and we took action to make criminal penalties for auto theft tougher by eliminating the value of a vehicle from consideration.
Source: 2024 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 11, 2024

Crack down on auto theft, propose tougher sentencing

This funding will help us crack down on auto theft with stronger tools like technology to help us locate and return stolen vehicles, an auto-theft task force, and greater support for District Attorneys in communities with high rates of auto theft to help them prosecute the criminals responsible. I called on the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice to get tough on auto theft sentencing, and the Commission's Sentencing Task Force moved that recommendation forward overwhelmingly.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 17, 2023

Make Colorado one of the 10 safest states over next 5 years

We are going to make our communities safer by focusing on training and recruiting efforts for police, supporting community policing models, increasing access to mental health services, offering early intervention grants, increasing support for domestic violence victims, and making safety improvements in our schools and on our streets. We owe it to the people of Colorado to improve safety and make Colorado truly one of the ten safest states in the nation over the next five years.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 13, 2022

As long as I'm Governor, Georgia will always back the blue!

I'm proud to say that my budget proposal will include a $5,000 raise for state law enforcement and other state employees. These brave men and women have been on the front lines of a truly unprecedented time in our state's history--from civil unrest to a global pandemic--and we couldn't be more appreciative of all they do to keep our families and communities safe. As long as I'm Governor, Georgia will always back the blue!
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 13, 2022

Restrict use of solitary confinement in local jails

HB21-1211: Concerning regulations for restrictive housing in local jails:

Legislative Summary: House Bill 21-1211 seeks to significantly restrict the use of solitary confinement in jails for those with mental health diagnoses or neurocognitive impairments, juveniles, people who are pregnant or in the postpartum period, or people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 40-25-0 on Apr/12/21; passed Senate 21-14-0 on May/13/21; Signed by Governor Jared Polis on Jun/24/21

Source: Colorado State Legislature voting records HB21-1211 , Jun 24, 2021

No mandatory minimums; yes alternative sentencing

Q: Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders?

A: No.

Q:

Source: Colorado Vote Smart 2016 Political Courage Test , Nov 1, 2016

Sponsored evidence-based & proven prevention for street gangs.

Polis co-sponsored Youth PROMISE Act

Congressional Summary:Youth Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education Act or the Youth Promise Act:

Opponent`s argument against bill: (Dissenting views on

Source: H.R.1318 13-H1318 on Mar 21, 2013

Rated 77% by the NAPO, indicating a tough-on-crime stance.

Polis scores 77% 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:

VoteMatch scoring for the NAPO ratings is as follows:

Source: NAPO ratings on Congress and politicians 2014_NAPO on Dec 31, 2014

Other governors on Crime: Jared Polis on other issues:
CO Gubernatorial:
Greg Lopez
Heidi Ganahl
CO Senatorial:
Alice Madden
Andrew Romanoff
Angela Williams
Cory Gardner
Dan Baer
Eli Bremer
Ellen Burnes
Joe O`Dea
John Walsh
Michael Bennet
Mike Johnston
Ron Hanks
Gubernatorial races 2025:
New Jersey Governor:
Virginia Governor:
    Democratic primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Abigail Spanberger, U.S.Rep., VA-7 (2019-2024); Dem. nominee 2025
  • Levar Stoney, VA Secretary of the Commonwealth (2014-2016); (withdrew to run for Lt. Gov.)

    Republican primary June 17 cancelled:
  • Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Gov. since 2022; GOP nominee 2025
  • Amanda Chase, State Senate District 11 (2016-2023); failed to make ballot
  • Denver Riggleman, U.S.Rep. (R-VA-5); exploratory committee as Independent
  • Glenn Youngkin, Incumbent Governor , (2022-2025), term-limited
Mayoral races 2025:
NYC Mayor Democratic primary June 24, 2025:
  • Adrienne Adams, speaker of the City Council
  • Andrew Cuomo, former governor of New York, 2011-2021.
    Republican June 24 primary cancelled; general election Nov. 4:
  • Eric Adams, incumbent Democratic mayor running as an independent
  • Jim Walden, Independent; Former assistant U.S. Attorney
  • Curtis Sliwa, Republican; CEO of the Guardian Angels

Jersey City Mayor (Non-partisan)
    Non-partisan general election Nov. 4:
  • Mussab Ali, former president of the Jersey City Board of Education
  • Bill O'Dea, Hudson County commissioner (since 1997)
  • Jim McGreevey, former N.J. Governor (2002-2004)
  • James Solomon, city councilor (since 2017)
  • Joyce Watterman, president of the Jersey City Council (since 2023)

Oakland CA Mayor
    Non-partisan special election April 14, 2025:
  • Barbara Lee, U.S.Rep CA-12 (1998-2025)
  • Loren Taylor, Oakland City Council (2019-2023), lost general election
  • Sheng Thao, Oakland Mayor, lost recall election Nov. 5, 2024
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