After a period of relaxed sentencing laws, a tough-on-crime approach is back in political favor in the U.S.
Republicans and Democrats alike are promoting anti-crime initiatives as a new year of lawmaking gets underway in state capitols. That comes after voters in several states approved ballot measures in the fall imposing stricter penalties for crimes ranging from shoplifting to deadly drug dealing.
Kehoe, a Republican who cruised to election, is set to take the oath of office at noon. He plans a “Day One Action Ceremony” shortly afterward.
“As soon as my hand comes off the Bible, the Kehoe administration will be relentless in our efforts to make Missouri safer,” Kehoe pledged.
In some states, the anti-crime measures are intertwined with efforts to crack down on those living in the U.S. illegally, mirroring an emphasis of President-elect Donald Trump.
Other measures go beyond that. Some seek stricter sentences for sexual offenses involving children, violent crimes or retail theft rings, which have gained attention from social media videos showing shoplifting crews rampaging through stores.
In Maryland, Democratic state Sen. Ron Watson is sponsoring legislation he said would let prosecutors file felony charges against everyone involved in a group theft if the total value exceeds $1,500, even if each person stole less than that.
Criminals “have become emboldened because they can get away with things and pretty much get a slap on the wrist,” Watson said. "Violent or nonviolent, a crime is a crime. And that crime needs to be punished.”
