Senseless Wounding as 5yo Boy Shoots Mom

Woman accidentally shot by 5-year-old son

It seems so senseless to be wounded "accidently" by a gun, especially when your husband is a County Sheriff and should be cognizant of leaving his weapons within reach of his children. Noted that he didn't need the weapon for his job as a jailor.

This happens so very much -- negligent gun usage, including the placement of guns within reach of the children. My father had lots of guns as we were growing up, but they all were locked up in a special closet that only he had a key to; I don't think that my Mom even had a key to this closet. He simply didn't take any chances with us kids being able to accidently access that closet.

Don't get me wrong. He did use his guns -- primarily for the use of hunting. When he took his guns out to use, he always had them carefully stored. Even when it came to cleaning the guns, I suppose that he waited until we were asleep and/or not at home in order to bring them out to clean.

You would think that someone that has a Peace Officer License/Jailor's License and the Concealed Weapons License, the county jailor would have been much more cognizant of his actions of leaving the gun on the dresser. This county jailor will have to live for-ever with the memories engrained of his son accidently wounding his wife. If the Mom does die, does the 5 year old get punishment for killing his Momma, albeit it was accident; or, does the father get punishment for killing his wife due to the negligence of leaving the gun on the dresser/nightstand in the first place????

I am certain whatever the case, the two of them will have those memories to live with for the rest of their lives and shall, hopefully, have learned something from their actions. I certaily wouldn't want to be in their shoes -- even for a split instant!!

One thing stressed in our classes is observation and ethics. Observation was the key here because the father observed his gun on the dresser/nightstand when he placed it there and didn't think twice about putting it straight up at that point in time. Ethics plays a role here because, had the role been in another person's home and their son got hold of the gun, there would have certainly been a lawsuit for negligence flying off (friend or no friend) of this jailor. Because of his status quo in the corrections facility, he is, and should be, held at a higher standard that someone with no law enforcement/correctional facility experience and background.

It will be interesting to see what the outcome of his wife/the son's mother is to see how they will lay down the punishments of the "crime".

CIT ACROSS AMERICA

NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) presents a "Friday Facts" each and every Friday, updating the member of NAMI with updates of what is happening in the proactive approaches for the good of its members.

One of the latest approaches of activism includes a survey about the areas Crisis Intervention Team ("CIT") programs in law enforcement entities across the country. It is asking for the support of its members to help get a snapshot of the type of CIT Program, which was originated by the Major Sam Cochran of the Memphis Police Department with his "consensus project" and Dr. Randy Dupont.

This Friday's news included the following information emailed to its members:

"As you know, law enforcement officers are frequently first-line responders to people with serious mental illness in
crisis. In an effort to better prepare these officers to respond to these individuals, a number of communities have developed police Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs.

A significant body of research indicates that these programs have proven effectiveness, both in reducing injuries and in diverting people to treatment instead of arrests. The NAMI Board of Directors is conducting a
survey to identify communities that have adopted CIT programs across the country and evaluate certain characteristics of these programs. A brief questionnaire
has been developed to assist in obtaining this information. If you are involved or knowledgeable about CIT programs in your state or community, we would very much appreciate your help by taking a few minutes to fill out the questionnaire.
Or, please forward the questionnaire to others who are knowledgeable about these programs. The questionnaire and accompanying cover letter can be accessed at
CIT Survey

Although the program started in 1988 in Memphis, it is a continual process to ensure that law enforcement entities across the nation practice these approaches when needed. After all, everyone deserves to be treated like a human, don't they????

CHECKPOINT CHARLIE ONE

It has been approximately a halfway point in my semester with the Capstone Course for the Associates Degree in Criminal Justice from the Kaplan University and I am wondering what has the eJournal meant to me thus far.

My education began more than 25 years ago in the post education arena -- studying pre-Pharmacy (in 1978) and Architecture (1979-1982) for more than 4 years (and, actually, some of the Architecture courses were taken at San Antonio College, yet never receiving a degree because of my encounter with Physics my freshman year at The University of Texas - Austin.

I had to take Physics as a requirement towards my Pre-Pharmacy degree, which I breezed through Physics in High School and didn't have a problem (so, why would I think that I would have a problem with it at The University of Texas - Austin. I WAS having problems with it though, and, as such went up to my Professor at the time and asked him to explain something that I was having problems with understanding. He said, "You just have to accept it!" I looked at him wryly and stated, "No, there should be a way that you could explain this to me." He replied, "No, just accept it." I got so frustrated with that Professor and didn't succeed at the class. I went to my Dean and he said that Physics was a requirement and stated that I should do the best I could with that class. What was silly was that in my college years at The University of Texas - Austin, I could do through Calculus III just fine without any problems. As a result of my plight with Physics, I dropped out of Pre-Pharmacy and entered into Architecture until they too required Phyics as a requirement. Having had the bad experience with Physics, I changed my major again despite my sincere love and interest in the field of Architecture, which allowed me to utilize the creative side of my brain as well. I tried some other degree plans -- Elementary Education (1982) but it bored me to death in the art classes due to my artistic skills that I already had AND Real Estate (1983) but I got busy with a long term relationship, jobs, and felt that perhaps my education was going nowhere fast, and perhaps I was just spinning my wheels.

The Business Management and Real Estate Courses were actually taken at Austin Community College in conjunction with some courses at The University of Texas - Austin because I was testing the waters to see if another college would help to spark some interest in me.

It wasn't until 1989 when I separated from my husband (yes, my long term relationship had turned into a marriage in 1983) from an abusive relationship and begun reasserting some of my independence as a mother (to a beautiful little girl born on 8/3/87) and a woman. I started working as a legal secretary in the Escrow business and working temp jobs at various law firms (small and large) through agencies and some on my own accord to make ends meet. I was discovering that my interests were fascinations involved with the law aspects and refocussed my energies on working towards a legal assistant/paralegal certificate of sorts. While working at one of the law firms, I began discovered the Legal Assistant Certificate Program at The University of Texas' Continuing Education Program in 1990, applied for it, and started the education process in 1991 -- and graduated in 1991 (the same time that my divorce had been finalized with my husband). I had made huge strides in my life and finally had independence!!! Through the Legal Assistant Certificate Program at The University of Texas' Continuing Education Program, I had also jump-start my career through an internship at the City of Austin's Law Department where I succeeded in the research for an arbritation that saved the City over $450,000, wrote many ordinances, etc. I also began working at a law firm that had worked on the resolution of the Lamar Savings & Loan Closure (p.237) and worked on this project through 1993/1994. Upon graduation from the Legal Assistant Certificate Program at The University of Texas' Continuing Education Program, I continued my facination of the law through taking some criminal justices classes at Austin Community College in 1991, but this was brought to a halt in 1994 when my daughter reached a complaint with her father.

We moved to Charleston, South Carolina and my education was put on hold again during that time, until the move back to San Antonio College and began working for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, which later became known as SBC while I was there. During that time, I started through an education assistance program with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company/SBC and took some Business Management courses through Dallas Baptist University via teleconferencing, which was a wonderful avenue to take the classes. Later, this education would too be interrupted as I was transferred to Houston, Texas, as a Manager of Construction Analyis, but was laid off with 19,000 other young managers about a year later.

I stayed in Houston, Texas, and worked for various law firms, but the economy got worse in Houston, Texas and looked towards moving back to Austin, Texas; however, before I did that (and, after my latest husband died on 11/11/02 that I had just married on 11/24/01) I re-started my education in January 2003 through the Kaplan University's Criminal Justice degree program.

Now, after two years in the program, I am looking forward towards graduation this Spring with my Criminal Justice Associate's Degree.

I have come a long, long ways through the years of education attempts and probably have earned more credits than your typical college/university student already; however, I do feel that I am earning a degree that I will be able to utilize in any new career path that I choose from here (or, if I return to the law offices as a paralegal). This in combination of my vast volunteerism and activism roles that I have had throughout the years will certainly mold me towards a perfect career niche -- one that I can, perhaps, work my best advocacy through activism (perhaps, even as a lobbyist)or helping in the mediation of the sorts in order to ensure that justice, in the end, is served. Still trying to work through the refinement of the direction of my career at 46 years of age; however, non-the-less too late for me as I have a family history of grandparents and great-grandparents living to well into their 90's (sometimes nearly making it to being 100 years old). The way I live my next half of a life will be greatly determined by the education I complete here at Kaplan University.

How does that song go???? Future's so bright, Gotta wear shades! (Not too sure about the beer references though since I don't drink as a rule.)

In conclusion (thus far), I feel that my education is heading me in the right direction of where I want to be; although the "where I want to be" hasn't been completely refined yet. Perhaps, because of my love of writing, I might consider continuing research topics and/or write some books??? Maybe I can tie that into grant writing for some non-profit organizations seek to aid the underdog (ie the mentally ill or children) in order that they, too, might have justice served in this world. And, to earn additional survival income work through mediation to ensure that the cases are mediated justly, while achieving to take some of the pressure off of the courts from cases that seem quite miniscule in comparison to others that certainly look like they might be setting some pivotable precendent in establishing new caselaw that will enable justice to prevail in the world. Am I looking at this through rose-colored glasses?? I don't think so because I bring to the table a vast education, as well as a diverse experience in the non-profit sector, as well as the legal sector. My posts on this eJournal seeming point to the same interests as well. Time will tell; however, at this time, I sincerely do feel that my education is leading me (especially now) on a good path for providing the education know-how I will need to best assist me in the goals I have set for myself (both personally and professionally).

DV Turns To Assault at Smith Co Courthouse

Courthouse shooter had history of assault, violent threats (See quoted story below my comments.)


Domestic Violence ("DV") is a huge issue. My own experience was miniscule in comparision to what some of the victims go through - some of the victims even end up in death, such as this particular case. Her name will be added to the many victims of DV abuse that are remembered each year throughout many DV candlelight vigils and memorials enacted during the month of Domestic Violence Month (October). It is sad that she will be remembered in such a manner, just as it is for any victim of DV. It is so very senseless way of death; not that death is remarkably "senseful" (if there were such a word) but it seems so very much more senseless than many ways of coming to one's own demise.

If only people could get along. If only.

I am not a violent person. I don't go looking for arguments or picking an argument for the sake of arguing. I am an easy going person who will stand up for myself, but not in an aggressive manner at all. I really don't understand why people can't be more like that. It seems that insanity kicks in and something takes over -- like some evil overbearing substance -- that affects the mind and soul. Some criminologists have attributed the criminalist brain to have some forms of chemical imbalances that cause them to think and act in such a manner. Some criminologists attributed it to some inherited traits. I, myself, don't know what to think. There are a lot of people with mental illnesses out there caused by imbalances of their chemical structure; and I certainly wouldn't even consider that, just because one has a mental illness, they are also criminalist; that is far from being accurate. At the same token though, it would seem difficult to believe that, just because one has a criminalist parent or grandparent that they would inherit that trait; to me, it would be more of a learned trait...but, that is just as how I see it.

If only people could get along. If only.

I have been in abusive relationships, work in a DV shelter with DV victims, and presently working on my criminal justice degree. I would love someday to be able to find a fix to cure the folks from the DV situations. Sometimes the anger management, therapy, or counseling classes work; but, it is just like the AA program - it will only work, if the person working through the program truly desires to be a success at the program he/she is working on.

If only people could get along. If only.

In the meantime, it just seems so injust that something like this could and did occur. I hope and pray for the losses felt by the children and the hurt and anger that they must be feeling. I am sure that they are wishing that they had seen it coming as well so that they could have continued to protect their mother. I pray that God heals them and lets them know that they did not fail, that the love and caring nature of their Mom carries on in them, and that the best way to get "even" is to show their Dad, that, in spite of the harm he did on their Mom, they live very fruitful and successful lives -- after all, their Mom seemed like a strong and determined woman, and as such, would like for them to continue forward with the same degree of strength and determination.

If only people could get along. If only.

I also pray for the people at the Courthouse who were victimized by what they saw and or experienced. Tragedies do, despite the best of efforts, will still occur and happen. We can only pray that these tragedies will be minimalized.

If only people could get along. If only.



Photos taken by Dallas Morning News of the Tragic Event in Tyler, Smith County, Texas

ARTICLE QUOTED BELOW:

By LISA FALKENBERG
Associated Press Writer

Maribel Estrada may have heard her ex-husband's threats of violence in recent days, but acquaintances said she had little time to worry about them.

After the divorce last year, the 41-year-old single mother of three received no child support and trimmed steaks at a local meat-packing plant to support her family. She took her children's father to court Thursday, hoping the Texas attorney general's office could force him to pay.

But David Hernandez Arroyo Sr. had other plans. Donning a military flak jacket and bulletproof vest, he showed up at the Smith County Courthouse with an assault rifle and opened fire on the town square, killing Estrada and a bystander who shot back.

"She wouldn't have expected this to come," said Estrada's divorce attorney Joshua Wintters. "She was really a gentle, quiet woman. Her main concerns in life were meeting the bills and seeing to her kids. It was more like she didn't have time to think about this."

But police believe Arroyo had made some threats last week.

Arroyo, 43, was finally gunned down by lawmen, but only after wounding four people using an AK-47, including three law officers and his own son, David Hernandez Arroyo Jr. The 21-year-old was shot in the legs and was in fair condition Friday.

The couple divorced after 22 years of marriage. Wintters said Arroyo ignored the divorce petition and became furious when he received the final decree.

"He kind of threw a fit and yelled at me some in a very profane way and I asked him to leave," Wintters said. "He would call us and you'd get messages from him: 'This ain't right. I'm not dealing with this anymore.'"

Wintters said Arroyo threatened him, but he thought it was emotion talking. He said he doesn't believe Estrada knew she was in danger.

"She really was one of the nicest women I've met, had a good heart," Wintters said. "Whenever he would express concern that she was going off and going to be with another man, she kind of laughed and said that's the last thing on her mind."

Her eldest son helped her support his two younger siblings, a teenager and a 9-year-old child, Wintters said.

The son "kind of acted as a mediator and kept the peace, except that he wouldn't back down from protecting the mother," Wintters said.

The 21-year-old stepped between his parents as they argued last year, and the ensuing altercation led to the elder Arroyo's conviction on a misdemeanor assault charge, Wintters said.

According to court records, the father was sentenced Feb. 2 to nine months probation but received deferred adjudication, meaning his record would have been cleared if he hadn't committed any crimes during that period.

Attorney Thad Davidson, who represented Arroyo, said his client pleaded no-contest to the assault charge and considered the plea bargain a victory because it did not affect his visitation rights with his 9-year-old son.

Davidson also said the boy had refuted claims by his mother and older brother that Arroyo had assaulted her, but that prosecutors refused to investigate the boy's statements.

"I did everything I could short of raise a red flag to indicate there were deeper, more significant issues in this case than a simple assault," Davidson said. "Although I abhor and am shocked by what happened ... what he did was the culmination of a series of events that put him at the end of a very dark road."

Arroyo also had a history of drunken driving and weapons charges, records show.

Wintters would not say why Estrada sought a divorce. He said she never claimed in court that Arroyo abused her or her children.

But Gene Decker, the meat plant manager, who is related to Arroyo through marriage, said he believes abuse compelled Estrada to seek a divorce.

"I know that she wouldn't have left him if he hadn't of been abusive," he said. "Knowing her and knowing him, I know that he forced it with his behavior."

Decker said Arroyo was known around town as a kind of "macho man," who drank, flaunted his guns and was rough with women.

"He's that kind of guy and he got his just reward," Decker said. "I just hate that other people had to get mixed up in it."

Family and acquaintances of the elder Arroyo said he was grieving over his mother's death just last week and upset over a custody dispute involving his and Estrada's youngest child.

"The only thing he wanted was to get his child custody. That's all he wanted," Marie Avelar, Arroyo's niece, told Dallas station WFAA-TV. "He was the sweetest person. ... I never see him mad, he always had a smile on his face."

Samuel Hernandez, whose sister lived near Arroyo, said he seemed like a caring father.

"I know one thing: he really loved that little boy," Hernandez told the Tyler Morning-Telegraph for Friday's editions. "He would always go everywhere with him."

Interview with Norma Lurati, Security Co Owner

I met Norma Lurati who is a fascinating woman. Raised in Boerne, Texas, and having had a career (and retired) with Southwestern "Ma" Bell as an operator, coin payphone manager, etc. She eventually got into corporate security and later openned her own security company known as Metropolitan Investigations Bureau & Protective Services, Inc. - which is now known as "Metro IBPS, Inc." for short!

She is a strong, but persuasive lady, who knows her business well which says a lot about who she is and how she has been running her company for many years. She had a partner until recently (she bought him out) and now is running the business by herself, with her brother helping out on the computer/administrative end of things.

What makes her a little more fascinating is that she also has DBAs for "Crime Scene Cleanup" and "Metro Safety Plan". She has actually gone to crime scenes and completly cleaned the crime scenes.

I am certainly looking forward to the opportunity to meet with her again soon and, hopefully, learn more about the security, private investigations, crime scene, business. I feel that I can learn a lot from her and look forward to that opportunity.

More later!

Pay Increases for Judges??

Texas judges should be paid more, chief justice says: Salaries need to be competitive with private practice, Jefferson says in State of the Judiciary speech

During a day and age where the economy is so very tight, it is difficult for the public to hear that someone is getting a payraise when they, themselves, would feel that the most deserving person is themselves -- especially, when it is hard enough to get on their feet and work towards a better future.

Are the Judges deserving of a raise?
Absolutely, YES. Judges may seem like they have a glamourous, plush job; however, in reality, the truth of the matter is that they put in long, gruelling hours to attempt to ensure that justice is served. If the public would just get along and no one did any crime, then perhaps that would be true; however, we very much live in an imperfect world.

Should they be given raises right now?
Until the budgets can be balanced a little better and funds being given to other deserving agencies, such as the DVSA (domestic violence & sexual assault) shelters. One shelter, Safe Place, had to recently completely close its doors to one of their buildings, while another DVSA shelter received no grant money to house for overflowing resident needs as well as male victims and their families of DVSA. It hardly seems right to upgrade the salaries of a few while there remains a huge demand for agency fundings throughout the State of Texas.

In short, I suppose that, while the Judges are very deserving, the State of Texas must look at figuring a way to not cut more services than they have done in the past and focus upon the future rebuilding of the State of Texas' economy.




FYI: THE ARTICLE published in the Austin American-Statesman on 02/23/05...

By Stephen Scheibal

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

For those who follow such things, Wednesday's State of the Judiciary speech was something of a landmark.

Not only was the speaker someone besides Tom Phillips — the former chief justice stepped down last year after nearly 17 years presiding over the state Supreme Court — but the speech didn't even touch on one of Phillips' longest-held political gripes: the way Texas elects its judges.

Instead, new Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson argued for a pay raise for judges at every level.

"Texas is losing judges at all levels of the judiciary due, at least in part, to salaries that have not kept pace with the times," Jefferson said. Referring to judges who have recently departed the bench, he added, "Let us admit to ourselves that the judiciary suffers from the loss of their expertise, integrity and experience."

Jefferson painted a bleak picture of the judiciary. He noted that judges can make far more money taking another job, either at a law firm or in a federal court.

He also warned that low pay encourages high turnover. That leaves inexperienced judges to handle the work and risks needless delays or mistakes, he said. It also exposes defendants and plaintiffs to the possibility of facing a judge more worried about how a decision looks on a résumé than whether it is just.

"A transitory judiciary is inevitable, I am sad to say, if a judge can serve only as long as his or her savings permit," Jefferson said.

Talking to reporters after the speech, Jefferson said proposals for judicial pay raises run from $40 million to more than $75 million. He also cited a study by the Texas Judicial Council, which calls for boosting judges' salaries by about 37 percent.

Rounding out his pitch to the lawmakers who will set salaries in their budget, Jefferson touched bases that should appeal to nearly everyone. He quoted not only Texas revolutionary hero Sam Houston but American Revolutionary hero and former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall. He cited business studies showing that companies place a high premium on a competent, stable judiciary.

And as he praised state officials for their support in his cause, Jefferson singled out both Gov. Rick Perry and Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. The two, who may face off in next year's gubernatorial GOP primary, have seldom found each other on the same side of an issue of late.

Jefferson also noted the judiciary's efforts in making courts more technologically nimble through electronic filings and Internet broadcasts of hearings. He commended efforts to expand access to courts, as well as work to make sure innocent people are not convicted of crimes.

Jefferson generally avoided comments about the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which has come under national scrutiny over questions of whether people whose convictions the court upheld were innocent. He did credit judges in that court for encouraging the investigation of innocence claims and providing representation for poor defendants.

"It is vital not only that we convict the guilty, but that we acquit the innocent," Jefferson said. "Error, unfortunately, is a human affliction."

Public Drinking - Higher Standards???

Williamson County sheriff says deputy should have known better: Drinking is a sore spot in community where former sheriff ousted after public drunkenness

Previously a Williamson County Sheriff was outsted out of his public office for essentially the same thing, excepting it was clearly a PI (Public Intoxication) matter and raised much stink from the community who would go to a dry county, I think, if they could because they are such an, overall, conservative county and are tired by the issues that alcohol and drugs provided alongside other predominate issues.

Should the public servants be held out a higher standard?
I think, YES, by all means. They are constantly in the public eye and are subjected to public scrutiny at any point in time. The are role models for our children, and as such should lead by example.

Should the public servants be prevented by enjoying their lives outside of their job?
I think, NO, however, they should always be congnizant of the fact that whatever they do do is subjected to the public scrutiny at any point in time and, if what they do outside of their job, infringes upon what the public views as immoral or criminal behavior, they will certainly be held accountable. Sort of a double edge sword in many aspects; however, that is the price they pay to have the role of the public servant.




FYI: THE ARTICLE published in the Austin American-Statesman on 02/23/05...

By Melissa Ludwig

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

ROUND ROCK — Lawmen drinking and partying is a sore spot for Williamson County, something deputy Craig Ferguson should have considered before consuming beer at a Round Rock Hooters and attempting to drive home earlier this month, said Williamson County Sheriff James Wilson.

Responding Wednesday to news reports that Ferguson was stopped by police Feb. 6 for suspected drunken driving, Wilson compared the deputy's actions to those of former sheriff John Maspero, who was ousted in December 2003 amid allegations of public drunkenness.

"I am very frustrated because of the horrible impact that drinking by the (former) leader of this agency had on the whole community," Wilson said. "When our employees see that impact, I would hope that they would be completely aware of the danger of drinking in an environment where they might have to drive home, and where people may perceive them to be police officers."

According to police reports, Round Rock police officer Nathan Zoss stopped Ferguson for weaving on Louis Henna Boulevard. The deputy refused to take a field sobriety test. Zoss did not think he had enough proof that Ferguson was legally drunk to take him to jail. The officer called Ferguson's supervisors to the scene, issued him two traffic citations and allowed his wife to drive him home, the reports said.

An internal investigation into Ferguson's actions should be completed by Friday or the beginning of next week, Wilson said.

"We're trying to find what the fair thing is, not what my knee-jerk anger reaction is," Wilson said. Wilson, who took office last month, said other officers consider Ferguson a good 8-year employee.

"Good employees are not easy to come by," Wilson said. However, he said "the whole situation is not good. Bad judgment."

Wilson said he also was not pleased with Ferguson's statement to Round Rock officers that he had been drinking at Hooters with lieutenants and other brass in the agency. Only one lieutenant, whom Wilson would not name, was with Ferguson that night, he said.

"That is a significant statement . . . particularly when it's not true," he said. "It brings discredit on the people who are . . . the foundation for accountability and conduct of the agency."

In response to questions about whether the lieutenant bears responsibility for Ferguson's actions, Wilson said, "I am concerned with this whole situation. Right now we are focused on the deputy and we will let that investigation dictate where we are going from there."

Jail Diversion Program

This comes on the heels of NAMI folks, among many other advocates went to the legislature to talk to the legislators about this issue, among many others. Seeing articles like this certainly warm the heart in knowing that some of them actually heeded to what had been said.'

The mentally ill were among those non-violent offenders who had misused their judgments and did something, often out of the ordinary, that they wouldn't ordinarily do; often times not recieving their meds for days after their arrest and booking in the jail.

Jails are overcrowded as it is... Save the jail space for the multiple repeat offenders and felonies. Attempt to rehabilitate the first time offenders; hoping to catch them before the "rush" of doing the crime actually sets in.

************************************************************





Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 08:01:46 EST
Subject: $88 million sought for programs to keep nonviolent offenders out of jail.


......Halfway house programs would be expanded, substance abuse treatment would become available to thousands more convicts and probationers, probation caseloads would be reduced to allow better supervision of offenders, and mental health initiatives would be expanded.

79th LEGISLATURE

House, Senate near agreement on prison budget
$88 million sought for programs to keep nonviolent offenders out of jail.

By Mike Ward
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
In a key accord for the young legislative session, House and Senate leaders appeared to be in agreement Monday about basic details of a proposed large-scale expansion of probation and treatment programs designed to keep thousands of nonviolent convicts from filling up more expensive and much-needed prison beds.

The heads of two legislative panels on criminal justice, Rep. Sylvester Turner and Sen. John Whitmire, both Houston Democrats, said after a morning meeting that they agree about the details for well over $88 million for "prison diversion" programs.

MORE ON THIS STORY



Complete Legislature coverage



Those details must be approved and are subject to change by the powerful budget-writing House Appropriations Committee, for which Turner oversees criminal justice budget issues, and the Senate Finance Committee, on which Whitmire sits.

However, Monday's development could be a first step in a shift in policy from expanding the prison system each legislative session, addressing a shortage of bunks, to earmarking large amounts of money for community justice programs.

The prison system gets about $2.4 billion a year, and lawmakers say they don't expect that figure to change.

They said the funding shift is the first such move in Texas in almost 15 years, when lawmakers greatly expanded drug treatment and community justice programs. In the years since, most of those programs withered because funding dried up or wasn't allocated in subsequent legislative sessions.

"Substance abuse treatment, community-based residential beds, reduced caseloads for probation officers, incentives to keep technical violators from going to prison — they're all in here," Turner said. "I think we are beginning to turn this big ship. This appears to have wide support."

Included in the initial funding plan, approved Monday afternoon by the House Appropriations subcommittee on criminal justice, is $62 million for state prison officials to temporarily lease beds in privately run and county jails to deal with a projected overflow of convicts that could begin as soon as next month. Also included is more than $88 million more for enhancements to probation, parole and community justice programs.

Halfway house programs would be expanded, substance abuse treatment would become available to thousands more convicts and probationers, probation caseloads would be reduced to allow better supervision of offenders, and mental health initiatives would be expanded.

The criminal justice budget is expected to go to the House Appropriations Committee for review later this week.

Whitmire said that although senators will begin hearings soon on details, he is optimistic that they will take a similar course.

"I agree with where the House is right now," Whitmire said. "It's not a done deal yet, but we're heading in the right direction."

CPCA - Orientation Day 020105

This was the first day of class and proved quite interesting.

Sgt. Darlene Brown was the first to greet the group and make introductions of the officers in the room to the group, as well as those who represented the Alumni Association of the Citizen's Academy.

John Hicks had the floor and gave us some background of this important police station liaison which enabled the officers to have their own training room at no expense to the City through the fundraising providing by its members. Membership fees are low ($20-individual; $30-family). Volunteering/Meeting is a once a week commitment.

Chief Fluck then got the stand and bragged about the improvements the force has made in crime/accident statistics, as well as their increase workforce (as demonstrated through the updated organization chart and employee directory) and new building that was built in conjunction with the County Courtroom Annex. He emphasised too that the work couldn't be accomplished without the receipt of various grant programs (Victim Services Coordinator; COPS N Schools (enabling officers to be stationed at the schools too); Texas Department of Transportation's STEP GRANT (enabling them to have officers working for the State of Texas to monitor the streets and highways, especially the high trafficked areas). These grants offer some relief to the increasing operations budget that is needed.

We were also given some bios on some of the upper level of officers to know more about them and what sort of a background they are coming from.

Chief Henry Fluck -- Chief of Police, Cedar Park
Indiana University in Pennsylvania - Bachelors of Arts degree in Criminology
University of Texas at El Paso - Master's of Arts degree in Sociology
El Paso Community College - Taught Criminal Law Classes

Captain Jeff Hayes -- Support Services Bureau, Cedar Park
Travis County Sheriff's Academy
* note also a Visual Arts Pastor at Lakeline Church &
member of the Cedar Park Heritage Society

Captain Deborah Dugger -- Operations Bureau Captain, Cedar Park
Austin Community College - Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement
Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute - graduate
Capital Area Plannning Council Regional Academy - instructor
Travis County Sheriff's Officer Academy - instructor
Texas Game Warden Training Academy - instructor

Lt Carl Rackley --
San Marcos PD Reserve Academy - graduate
Travis County Sheriff's Academy - graduate

WHAT THEIR EDUCATION MEANT TO ME....
is that there is hope even with my mixed education and combination of work experiences. My background with paralegal, along with the paralegal certificate, along with my Associates in Criminal Justice that will be soon conferred upon me, and whatever education and experiences are ahead of me are going to be molding me to that leader of the community in whatever direction that is bestowed upon me. I am looking forward to that future (just have to get past all the hurdles along the way). :)