Howard, Republicans Outline Proposals to Make Connecticut Safer

HARTFORD—In advance of a series of Judiciary Committee public hearings next week, State Rep. Greg Howard (R-43) along with House and Senate Republicans on Wednesday outlined proposals aimed at making Connecticut safer while urging Democrats to veer from their lopsided approach to public safety that does little to deter crime.

“We also hear every day from constituents that are concerned for the growing number of juvenile offenses and more notably, the increasingly dangerous offenses that our youth are involved in, said Rep. Greg Howard, the Ranking Member of the Public Safety & Security. “While some say this is designed to “throw a bunch of kids in jail” the opposite is true.  The intent of these proposals is to protect public safety while also engaging our youth into meaningful reformation opportunities to provide them the foundation, currently lacking in their lives, to become positive and productive members of society and successful in their adult years.”

“Like many of my Republican colleagues, I entered this legislative session with the concerns of so many Connecticut residents at the top of mind, people who understandably want more balance in our criminal justice system that effectively coddles those who break the law,” House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said. “We’ve offered bills that would nudge our state toward that practical goal by addressing some of the state’s most pressing public safety issues. While some of our proposals will receive hearings soon, I do fear that any citizen who wants deterrence, accountability or an overdue focus on victims’ rights will be disappointed by a Democratic majority that appears unwilling to deviate from its ‘smart on crime’ policies that have done little to make our communities safer.”

It’s expected that Republican proposals will receiving hearings over the next two weeks, and the committee’s Ranking Members are committed to pressing their Democratic colleagues to advance them.

“Allowing law enforcement to provide Connecticut residents with the safety they expect and deserve means we must stop pretending everything is fine and do more as a legislature to pass laws that truly hold the dangerous individuals causing havoc in our communities accountable,” Rep. Craig Fishbein and Sen. John A. Kissel, House and Senate Ranking Members on the Judiciary Committee said. “Republicans have consistently pressed for stronger protections for Connecticut citizens, and we look forward to working with our colleagues on the Judiciary Committee and the administration to further refine and implement more commonsense policies, including those regarding domestic violence, juvenile crime, bail reform, and supporting our police.”

Rep. Howard added, “I, along with my colleagues have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Connecticut law enforcement since the partisan attack on the profession began in 2020.  Proactive police work has been proven to significantly reduce crime and traffic crashes.  Just this past Thursday, the Manager of CT’s Alvin W. Penn law, who tracks data related to car stops, testified in the Public Safety Committee revealing that in 2022 CT saw one of its deadliest years on record related to traffic fatalities.  At the same time, traffic stops in CT saw a 40% reduction state-wide, and about a 65% reduction in stops conducted by our troopers who patrol our interstates.  We can make excuses about staffing, viruses, and anything else you want, but the truth is this:  This massive reduction in traffic stops and the associated untimely and unnecessary deaths are a direct result of the lowest morale among law enforcement in the history of the profession.”

To read the criminal justice plan which includes provisions on domestic violence, law enforcement, juvenile crime and bail reform, click here: https://www.cthousegop.com/howard/2023/03/02/republican-proposals-public-safety/