Friday, December 09, 2005

Join the club Pulaski County

KATV reports a group of citizens known as "County Jail Reform Now" are calling the situation at the Pulaski County Jail unacceptable.

Scott Miller spokesperson for the group says, "Essentially the jail is closed 100-percent of the time... Except for the most violent people. Essentially at this point, you're caught with a meth lab, you're back on the street immediately; you're not going to jail. Domestic battery cases in North Little Rock, you're back on the streets, you don't go to jail. This is an unacceptable condition."

Pulaski County Judge Buddy Villines added, "This community, for its public safety, quality of life, has got to have a facility large enough that it can handle those who are charged or convicted of crimes to be able to have a place for them. Until we do that, we cannot guarantee our citizens that they have the kind of security they need and deserve from this community."

These problems are far too familiar for the residence of Faulkner County, we have endured years of an overcrowded jail that has led to the same situations. Criminal acts that have been either downplayed or ignored in favor of jail management.

While our new jail will be opening soon but that is of little consiquence to the victims of crime that received no help from the Sheriff because of our jail situation.

But it really should come as no surprise to the people in this county after all we have been hoodwinked for years. Made to believe the sheriff's office was doing it's best to protect its citizens. Meanwhile Sheriff Montgomery and staff were living high on the county dime while the law breakers are free to victimize the good people of this county.

We feel for the people of Pulaski County, living like we have is no picnic. At least it appears that some of their governing officials are trying to help.

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