New bill would crack down on car thieves, burglars, arsonists
Feb 16, 2016, 12:21 PM | Updated: 1:50 pm
The Washington state Senate is cracking down on repeat offenders with the passage of a new bill. (AP file)
(AP file)
The Washington state Senate is cracking down on repeat offenders with the passage of a new bill.
Senator Steve O’Ban, the bill’s sponsor, says 20 percent of offenders commit 80 percent of the property crimes.
“Property crime is one of the biggest issues facing Pierce County residents and our state as a whole,” he said. “So many of these crimes are committed by repeat offenders who haven’t faced serious enough consequences to make them change their behavior.”
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O’Ban says the legislation provides repeat offenders with longer, more appropriate sentences.
“When you have your home or your car violated, it’s just not the property that you miss but the sense of well-being,” he said. “The feeling that you could be violated by a complete stranger at any moment.”
The FBI defines property crime as burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, without using force or the threat of force against victims.
The bill now moves on to the House.
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