Safety claim questionable

Gov. Chris Gregoire apparently has had a change of heart on community safety.

On her official Web site it is stated, “providing for public health and safety is one of Governor Chris Gregoire’s top responsibilities. She has initiated changes to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.”

But in reality she is doing the exact opposite. She has already closed part of Pine Lodge Correctional Facility and apparently plans on closing the facility entirely as well as closing McNeill Island and part of the Washington state penitentiary by June 2010. This comes on the heels of layoffs and cuts already handed out to corrections staff and community supervision staff.

Fewer correctional facilities, fewer correction staff and less community supervision at a time when crime is sharply on the rise makes little sense and seems contradictory to what is stated on her Web site as well as to common sense.

Dave Allison

Spokane