Violent Crime Bill (7-6-20)

Violent Crime Bill (7-6-20)

Crime bill signed into law today by governor mike parson... kq2's madeline mcclain was in platte county today where area prosecutors and law enforcement showed support and explained how it will help them do their jobs better.

The scratch of a pen and a bill that's been sitting on the governor's desk for weeks will be law in missouri.

And an answer to this question facing law enforcement and prosecutors.ron holliday, buchanan county prosecutor: the question that i get more than any other is what are we doing about violent crime in the community.senate bill 600 stiffens penalties for repeat offenders, crimes involving guns, and gang-related crime.

Ron holliday, buchanan county prosecutor: "last year we prosecuted 5 murders to trial."

Bill puett, buchanan county sheriff's office: that's what this is about is being able to protect our citizens to keep violent criminals off the street.a serious sentence --- natsáá -- for serious crimes.

Eric zahnd, platte county prosecutor: "ensure that truly dangerous violent criminals, the worst of the worst, will not merely receive a slap on the wrist when they prey on their victims."the bill sponsored by parkville republican senator tony luektemeyer sen.

Tony luetkemeyer, r-parkville: we pulled some statistics last year of violent offenders will re-offend with a felony carrying a sentence of prison years or more so what sb 600 does at its core is ends the catch and release practice that allows violent felons to re-offend.just before the governor committed his signature enforcement agencies, city officials expressed their support for the bill at a news conference in platte county.

Mayor quinton lucas, kansas city: if you are the mayor of a city where a 4-year-old is shot in their sleep.

What can we do to make some level of difference?

To make sure have the tools that they need.

Saying the bill gives them better tools to combat guns and bill puett, buchanan county sheriff's office: "anything that we can do that gives law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to keep our communities safe and protect our victims is a win for all of us."but not everyone supports it.

Last month at least 13 groups wrote a letter to the governor asking him to veto it -- writing the bill does nothing to address underlying issues that lead to violent crime -- instead, it doubles down on failed strategies of past decades.luetkemeyer says prevention and rehabilitation have been the focus about the individuals that have been given too many chances.sen.

Tony luetkemeyer, r-parkville: we should be putting them in prison so they can't re-offend and hurt more people.ron holliday, buchanan county prosecutor: "we've had an alternative treatment court here in buchanan county for over 17 years and i'm a strong proponent of that but what senate bill 600 deals with is a violent crime, individuals who commit crimes with guns and individuals who have been convicted of dangerous felonies in the past.reporting in platte county, madeline mcclain kq2 news.

In the press conference today -- governor parson also indicated he wants a special session to focus on violent crime in the state.however no session has been scheduled as of today.

While most of the