SAFE-T Act causes reasonable fears

The Illinois "SAFE-T Act" will be the law of the land next month. Most Illinoisans have probably not actually read all of the act's provisions. This does not speak to public apathy as much as it speaks to the lack of transparency and the politically motivated, speedy, near clandestine, passing of the act. Advocates neglected to provide the public with sufficient detail of some of the provisions that may pose a danger to the public.

Those who in any way articulate how public safety is compromised are accused by many of spreading fear. Yet, many of these same folks provided the public very little information with respect to what felony crimes are contemplated by the act.

A person arrested for a crime clearly has constitutional rights that must be enforced. However, the act will in fact preclude cash bail and the detention of alleged offenders for a number of serious crimes, and it provides that any conditions of release of the arrested shall impose the "least restrictive conditions."

The multitude charged who are not detained will be ordered to appear at a future court date. Yet, how many of those individuals will simply not appear for the court date? Does anyone truly believe that Illinois's justice system has the resources to track down all of those who do not appear at court?

With the act's new demands upon the criminal justice system, the system's personnel will have to handle an avalanche of extra work demanded by the act. The amendments will cause chaos within the system. Violent defendants will be freed by the courts" misinterpretations of the act's confusing provisions and the administrative overload the act will cause.

Some maintain that criticism of the act is "fear mongering." Nevertheless, there should be genuine fear of the potentially severe consequences of the act's implementation.

Terry Takash

Western Springs