Oregon’s crime laws could change immensely as two competing measures fight for voters’ attention and ballot marks. The measure that receives the most votes, designed to clean up some state crime epidemics, will outline Oregon’s crime law that would cost residents millions. If both measures are passed by the voters, the one with the most votes will go into effect.
Ballot Measure 57 increases sentences for drug trafficking, theft against the elderly, and specified repeat of property and identify theft crimes. In addition, the measure requires violators of drug crimes to seek treatment.
Steve Berger, Oregon Association of Community Corrections Directors president, believes Measure 57 assists offenders in overcoming bad habits.
“Based on trusted research, we believe Measure 57 will better reduce crime in the state of Oregon,” Berger said.
It is estimated the measure will require the state to spend $9 million in the first year, $74 million in the second year, $79 million in the third year, $106 million in the fourth year and more than $143 million each year after that.
The projected costs take into account the additional funds that will be needed to house offenders for extended periods of time in state facilities.
Measure 61 requires minimum sentences for the same crimes, but offenders are mandated to serve jail time for their first offense. Measure 61, unlike Measure 57, does not require a past history to enforce the sentence requirements.
Kevin Mannix, who sponsors Measure 61, encourages voters to think about the possibility of crimes not being handled seriously the first time.
“Whenever I speak to large groups, I encourage them to think about how they would feel if a first-time identity theft crime against them was given probation rather than a jail sentence,” Mannix said.
Measure 61 is estimated to cost $8 million to $10 million in the first year, $67 million to $88 million in the second year, between $164 million and $247 million in the third year, and between $161 million and $274 million every year after that.
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