Crime in America

Creation of a National Law Enforcement Crime Information Database (NLECID) -

Issue - Provide a tracking resource for law enforcement officers and former law enforcement officers who have been terminated and/or charged with violations of their oath of office, including the unlawful use of force.

Purpose - Eliminate the revolving door policy that allows a bad cop to simply transfer to another agency.

​

Police reform - Most of the men and women who wear the badge, do so honorably and most understand the concept of serving the public. To assure that our nation's police departments maintain the very highest standards of excellence and professionalism, departments should be required to comply with minimal federal standards of operation including the employment of mandatory de-escalation training as well as the implementation of a mental health apparatus embedded within the departments, which have an appropriate budget and where the apparatus matches the needs of that community (officers with special training and equipment for non-lethal mental health clients). To be clear, we are not suggesting defunding police but rather, providing them with the resources to effectively, professionally and safely do their jobs.

​

Revisit and strengthen laws regarding acts of terrorism - The following crimes should be included under the new anti-terrorism bill:

• A perpetrator charged with homicide of a police officer.

• A police officer charged with using his or her position of authority to unlawfully commit homicide.

• Felonies committed by known gang members and organizations.

• Stalking or communicating a threat of violence using social media platforms, the internet, telephones, or other electronic devices.

• Luring or the use of threat of under age children for the purposes of sexual exploitation or trafficking.

• Use of a vehicle on public or private roads to inflict harm.

• Use of social media platforms to engender threats or to incite and/or promote acts of violence particularly against public officials.

• Incitement of large groups to commit crimes constitutes the possession of,  deployment of and/or use of a human weapon of mass destruction.

• Possession of military weapons by a private individual or organization.

 

 The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 -  Must be updated to address the varying approaches to the legality of narcotics, drugs, federal versus state law. In all cases, federal law supersedes state law.

 

Drug Schedules

Drugs, substances, and certain chemicals used to make drugs are classified into five (5) distinct categories or schedules depending upon the drug’s acceptable medical use and the drug’s abuse or dependency potential. The abuse rate is a determinate factor in the scheduling of the drug; for example, Schedule I drugs have a high potential for abuse and the potential to create severe psychological and/or physical dependence. As the drug schedule changes-- Schedule II, Schedule III, etc., so does the abuse potential-- Schedule V drugs represents the least potential for abuse. A Listing of drugs and their schedule are located at Controlled Substance Act (CSA) Scheduling or CSA Scheduling by Alphabetical Order. These lists describes the basic or parent chemical and do not necessarily describe the salts, isomers and salts of isomers, esters, ethers and derivatives which may also be classified as controlled substances. These lists are intended as general references and are not comprehensive listings of all controlled substances.

Please note that a substance need not be listed as a controlled substance to be treated as a Schedule I substance for criminal prosecution. A controlled substance analogue is a substance which is intended for human consumption and is structurally or pharmacologically substantially similar to or is represented as being similar to a Schedule I or Schedule II substance and is not an approved medication in the United States. (See 21 U.S.C. §802(32)(A) for the definition of a controlled substance analogue and 21 U.S.C. §813 for the schedule.)

Schedule I

Schedule I drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Some examples of Schedule I drugs are: heroin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), marijuana (cannabis), 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote.

Schedule II

Schedule II drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. These drugs are also considered dangerous. Some examples of Schedule II drugs are: combination products with less than 15 milligrams of hydrocodone per dosage unit (Vicodin), cocaine, methamphetamine, methadone, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), oxycodone (OxyContin), fentanyl, Dexedrine, Adderall, and Ritalin

Schedule III

Schedule III drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence. Schedule III drugs abuse potential is less than Schedule I and Schedule II drugs but more than Schedule IV. Some examples of Schedule III drugs are: products containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit (Tylenol with codeine), ketamine, anabolic steroids, testosterone

Schedule IV

Schedule IV drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with a low potential for abuse and low risk of dependence. Some examples of Schedule IV drugs are: Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Talwin, Ambien, Tramadol

Schedule V

Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin SOURCE: DEA. 10 July, 2018. Drug Scheduling. Retrieved from https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling on 8 December, 2023

​

White Collar vs. Blue Collar Crime - White-collar criminals don't rely on violence or weapons. Instead, they commit crimes using internet browsers, bookkeeping software, social media, fraud, etc. Too often those with more than adequate fiscal resources receive special treatment. No one is above the law in America!

​

Crimes committed by elected officials - Any individual who takes the oath of office, and violates that oath should be charged and held fully accountable under the laws of that jurisdiction.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully execute the duties of the office upon which I am entering. So help me God."

Without a penalty for violation of the oath, the oath itself serves no purpose.

In addition to potential criminal actions, make it easier for private individuals to sue public officials for violation of their oath of office.

​

CRIME REDUCTION AND PREVENTION - The primary purpose of any anti-crime legislation is not to identify crime or even to punish perpetrators of those crimes, but to reduce crime.

​

"Growing up our schools had classes and programs like Metal Shop, Wood Shop, Auto Shop, Band, Home Economics, ROTC, Red Cross Volunteens, SRA, Chemical lab, Electronics and so many others. We even had an artists guild where we could draw our idea of future cars. I learned how to build a radio from scratch in high school! In junior high, I served on the Safety Patrol, wearing the orange belt that signified we were authorized to help our classmates cross the streets in front of the school. I think one of the highest honors was raising and lowering of the US flag in front of the school, while one of my classmates played the bugle. We were given the opportunity to learn critical life needs while still in school. Those classes were without cost to the parents and again, they taught me things I would need after I graduated from school. They prepared me for life." ~Keith

​

​

​

​

​