Britt pushes for crime funds

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- State Rep. Phillip Britt is hoping the third time is indeed the charm for his bill to re-establish special funds for county sheriff's departments.

Britt, D-Kennett, has twice shepherded the measure through the General Assembly and on to the governor's desk. Both times it failed to become law.

"This time I'm pretty optimistic we can finally get it gone," Britt said.

The bill would authorize counties to establish crime reduction funds. Judges could order criminal defendants to pay into the accounts upon conviction. Such payments would be in addition to any statutory fine levied as punishment. Proceeds from the funds would be used to supplement local law enforcement budgets.

Many Missouri counties had such funds until 1998 when the Missouri Supreme Court ruled they overstepped their authority in doing so.

In Southeast Missouri, wealthier counties such as Cape Girardeau tapped crime reduction funds for new equipment, training and matching grants. Poorer area counties used them for basic expenses, such as deputy salaries.

A year after the court decision, the Legislature sent a crime reduction fund bill to then-Gov. Mel Carnahan, who vetoed it out of concern that its wording would allow criminal defendants the means to buy suspended sentences.

In 2000, Britt altered the language to satisfy Carnahan's misgivings. However, the measure ended up as a provision in a massive omnibus crime bill that eventually collapsed under its own weight.

Last year, the Legislature sent the bill to Gov. Bob Holden on the hectic final day of the legislative session. Unfortunately, one sentence of the version adopted by the House differed from that approved by the Senate, thereby nullifying its passage.

While Britt pushes his bill in the House, Republican state Sens. Bill Foster of Poplar Bluff and Sarah Steelman of Rolla will soon introduce a similar measure in the Senate.

Britt said passing two bills on the subject through both chambers -- instead of just one as has previously been the case -- will leave supporters with a backup should one again be found faulty.

mpowers@semissourian.com

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