Public Safety

Every day, in my small town, I encounter people rushing through intersections, not paying attention, while talking on cell phones.  I have developed the habit of counting people talking on cell phones, passing through intersections, while I'm stopped at traffic lights.  I would estimate that forty to fifty percent of people have a phone to their ear.  Today, two people almost hit me while talking on cell phones.  If I hadn't been aware, they would have run into me.

Suggestion:  Introduce a bill requiring motorists who are stopped for using cell phones (not the hands-free phones) to surrender their phones until they pay the ticket.  Also, you could require them to either appear in court to retrieve the phone or add an additional charge to mail the phone back to them.

Why does the Department of Corrections need assistant wardens at each facility? If this position was done away with then the state could save money from the salary that was paid ( @ $60K yr.), the state vehicle that they drove and the housing allowance paid to them ( $5,400 a yr.) . This decision could be based on the security level of each institution. Level 1,2,and 3 institutions could do away with their assistant wardens and let the security area be handled by the chief of security, programs handled by the treatment supervisor and finances by the accountant.

I have a major problem concerning the Department of Corrections.  Recently Governor Kaine informed the state that the out of state inmates we were housing from Wyoming ere going to have to leave becasue of a pending lawsuit filed by Virginia Beach aganst the Department of Corrections.  That has cost the department 18 million dollars in revenue since those inmates will not be housed in Virginia any more.  The bigger problem is the fact when former Gov.

What does everyone think of red light cameras? They basically catch stop light runners and then automatically send them tickets in the mail.

Could we consider having 10 second mini spots run hourly on all mediums to (re) educate the public and especially the foreign community what the proper rules of driving in this country are.  And while I am on this topic how about eliminating reciprocity for foreign drivers with an international license and make everyone take a test before operating a motor vehicle on our roads.  As to my original thought it should have a fantastic impact on statewide safety records and reduce loss of property and lives.

I don't think the DMV should issue tags for a vehicle UNLESS they are positive that the driver has insurance on that car.  When a used car is purchased - the dealer has no way of making sure the vehicle is insured when they issue 30 day tags - except for the dealer insurance.  THat means people can be driving around with no insurance making them a safety hazard to the other drivers.  Then - the purchaser can go to dmv and request permanent plates for the vehicle and again there is no way to ensure the vehicle is insured.  Proof of insurance should be required before any

Lets think about this... The state has 90 days to pick up inmates from city jails who have been sentenced to 12 months or more in state prison. The state is intentionally leaving their inmates in the city jails and giving the cities $14.00 a day per inmate, when it costs $75.00 a day for the city to take care of them. This is causing overcrowding which causes danger to the Correctional Officers and other staff. Not to mention is draining the city tax payers. BUT at the same time, the State is contracting inmates from other states to rent space in Virginia prisons, for a fee of course...

With over 2 million people incarcerated in the United States, more than any nation in the world, I think its time for a change. I think it's time that we understand that the majority of those that are locked up will one day be free and LIVING AMONG US. I think its about time that we not only work on programs that will help them after release, but before release. We need to start programs that will get family members and friends involved. We need to start programs that are devoted to forming bonds with inmates and their families. Why don't these prisons have family day?

 I spent the summer driving Interstate 64 between Hampton and Richmond on a twice-weekly basis, if not more often.  I am really concerned over the number of state police cars I have seen that pull onto 64 (from one of the median turns), while turning on their siren/lights and speeding down the road, only to turn off their lights and drive with the traffic for another 10 to 20 miles.  The number of near accidents that I have seen is frightening (well actually driving 64 can often be frightening!) and I am concerned as well with the message that is sent when this happens.