Critics call crime initiative a ploy to lure 'ultraconservatives' to polls

They turned up the heat on the politics of crime Wednesday over an initiative likely to appear on the November ballot aimed at gangs and guns.

Opponents said the "Safe Neighborhoods" act targets African American and Latino youth and that its backers are trying to fire up "ultraconservatives" to turn out for the presidential election.

Proponents denied a political motivation. They said their initiative is just as much about prevention and programs as it is about putting people in prison.

Last week, supporters of the measure sponsored by state Sen. George Runner, R-Lancaster, submitted signatures to the California secretary of state's office to get it on the fall ballot. It needs a little more than 433,000 valid signatures to qualify.

The measure would smack ex-cons who carry loaded or concealed guns in public with new, 10-year terms. It would expand the "10-20-life" law to accomplices as well as actual shooters in crimes where guns are brandished, fired or injure people when shot.

It also would enhance assorted penalties for street gang members convicted of crime, make it easier for local prosecutors to obtain civil anti-gang injunctions and evict public housing residents involved in gangs or drugs.

Runner's initiative would protect $600 million in existing local law enforcement spending and add $365 million more, including tens of millions for prevention and rehabilitation programs.

The Legislative Analyst's Office says the measure could hike the corrections budget by $500 million a year and require another $500 million in one-time spending to build prison space for more offenders.

State Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, told a Capitol press conference Wednesday the initiative is intended to scare the public.

"This initiative is not about safe neighborhoods," Romero said. "This is about saying 'boo' to the people of California."

Alice Huffman, state chair of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, characterized the initiative as "pure politics," a "wedge issue" to boost the turnout of "ultraconservatives, fearful, people who believe that black and brown children are the criminals."

"They want to win the White House," Huffman said of the initiative's Republican backers.

Runner rebuffed Huffman's analysis. "That is just not part of the scheme," he said. Programs and crime prevention are as crucial to his initiative as its get-tougher approach, according to Runner.

"We believe it will actually take down the prison population because of successful early intervention," Runner said.

Opponents of the measure include San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.

All 58 California sheriffs back the initiative, as do the state's top law enforcement associations.

About the writer:

• Call Andy Furillo, Bee Capitol Bureau, (916) 321-1141.