McDonnell on Public Safety

August 12, 2009

McDonnell Unveils Public Safety Plan: "Continuing the Commitment to Make Virginia a Safer Place to Work and Raise a Family"

Plan Highlighted by Proposals to Enact Intensive Lifetime Monitoring for Certain Violent Sexual Predators; Expand Drug Courts and Toughen Penalties for Repeat Drug Dealers; Improve Protective Orders to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence

Bob McDonnell Joins Ken Cuccinelli as Both Pledge to "Continue the Commitment to Make Virginia a Safer Place to Work and Raise a Family"

NEWPORT NEWS- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, today unveiled his comprehensive public safety plan to "Continue the Commitment to Make Virginia a Safer Place to Work and Raise a Family." He was joined by Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee for Attorney General, who also announced his public safety proposals at the joint press conference. In addition, the two were joined by Polly Franks, a national advocate for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The press conference was held following remarks by McDonnell and Cuccinelli at the Virginia Chiefs of Police Annual Conference in Newport News. McDonnell's plan continues his efforts as a prosecutor, delegate and Attorney General to keep Virginians safe in their homes and communities.

Highlights of McDonnell's "Continuing the Commitment to Make Virginia a Safer Place to Work and Raise a Family" Public Safety Plan unveiled today include:
Requiring a form of intensive lifetime monitoring of violent sexual predators not eligible for civil commitment but who continue to pose a danger to society
Proposing that the penalty for a convicted sex offender who fails to register for Virginia's Sex Offender Registry be elevated to a Class 6 felony
Creating a Domestic Violence Prevention Advisory Board to advise on domestic violence issues
Improving the protective order system by clarifying our current laws and simplifying the process
Making Virginia's protective order forms more consistent with neighboring states to enhance cross-jurisdictional enforcement
Making the commission of a violent crime in the presence of a child a separate Class 4 felony
Expediting the process to remove children from abusive and neglectful homes by having appeals for termination of parental rights go directly to the Court of Appeals rather than Circuit Court
Cracking down on career drug dealers by proposing tougher mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders
Breaking the cycle of addiction by supporting and encouraging the use of drug treatment court programs
Increasing mandatory fees for convicted criminals
Strengthening the juvenile justice system
Supporting growth and expansion of the Commonwealth Challenge Program for youth offenders
Requiring juveniles charged with repeat violent felonies to be tried as adults in circuit court
Cracking down on crimes against the elderly
Combating identity theft
Ensuring crime doesn't pay by strengthening asset forfeiture