The Hertzberg-Polanco Crime Laboratories Construction Bond Act of 1999.
	Rebuttal to Argument Against Proposition 15

Arguments on this page are the opinions of the authors and have not been checked for accuracy by any official agency.

We're glad the opponents agree that "forensic labs help police officers and prosecutors prove their cases . . . ." By updating and repairing crime labs, we can ensure that more criminals are identified, caught, convicted and punished and that fewer innocent people are charged with crimes.

Law enforcement says the opponents are misleading voters and opponents' arguments are not accurate. There is only a handful of private crime labs in California and these are used to crosscheck and provide second opinions in questionable cases. That's why police, sheriffs, and firefighters say we need to update and repair forensic crime-solving labs. Would you rather trust the opponents or your local law enforcement when it comes to fighting crime?

Proposition 15 will save taxpayers' money in the long run. If we improve the analysis of evidence, we save money by reducing the time it takes to solve crimes and shortening the length of trials.

If it were the opponents' father who was murdered, sister who was raped, or child killed by a drunken driver, we believe there would be no argument against Proposition 15. How can anyone who cherishes freedom not also believe in pursuing all means to swift and fair justice? Proposition 15 will give local law enforcement updated technology to increase the speed at which crimes are solved.

THE NEED TO REPAIR AND UPDATE OVERCROWDED DETERIORATING CRIME LABS IS CRITICAL. WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES ON PROPOSITION 15.

Charles C. Plummer
President, California State Sheriffs Association

DANIEL A. TERRY
President, California Professional Firefighters

TOM TORLAKSON
Member, California State Assembly Information Technology Budget Subcommittee

Proposition 15 | Vote 2000 Home | Next - Prop 16 | Secretary of State Home |