RUNNER PLEDGES PASSAGE OF BILLS LEGISLATION AIMS TO FIGHT CRIME.Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Staff Writer Assemblywoman Sharon Runner Sharon Runner (born May 17 1954, Los Angeles) is a Californian politician. She has been a member of the California State Assembly since 2002. Runner, a Republican from Antelope Valley represents the 36th district. introduced five anti-crime bills Wednesday and vowed to get them passed -- even if it means going directly to voters. The Lancaster Republican expressed hope the proposals would receive bipartisan support, but she said she would use the initiative process if they fail in the Legislature. Runner, along with her husband, Sen. George Runner George C. Runner, Jr. (born March 25 1952 in Scotia, New York) is a Republican California State Senator, who represents the 17th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County and Ventura County. , R-Lancaster, co-wrote Jessica's Law Jessica's Law is the informal name given to a 2005 Florida law, as well as laws in several other states, designed to punish sex offenders and reduce their ability to re-offend. -- an initiative providing for tougher sentences for sex offenders sex offender n. generic term for all persons convicted of crimes involving sex, including rape, molestation, sexual harassment and pornography production or distribution. , which California voters passed overwhelmingly last year. "Absolutely," Sharon Runner said. "The Legislature has been out of touch with what Californians want for many years, and if (the Legislature) is unwilling to pass it, we'll go to the initiative process." Her proposals include allowing law enforcement to aggregate graffiti vandalism crimes for the purpose of criminal prosecution, expanding life-in-prison penalties for crimes involving guns to accomplices, requiring gang members to register annually with local law enforcement agencies A law enforcement agency (LEA) is a term used to describe any agency which enforces the law. This may be a local or state police, federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) or the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). , expanding drug laws and creating more restrictive parole laws. "It is time for the Legislature to get its act together and do the job that we were elected to do," Sharon Runner said in a prepared statement. "Our citizens expect us to protect them, and our response to the growing gang problem until now has been inadequate. "Now, we are at a point where it is nearly out of control, and this package will go a long way in assisting law enforcement in the fight to protect Californians." George Runner wrote two bills, including one that would require convicted gang members released from prison to wear Global Positioning System Global Positioning System: see navigation satellite. Global Positioning System (GPS) Precise satellite-based navigation and location system originally developed for U.S. military use. tracking devices. He also wrote a gang omnibus bill a large box in a theater, on a level with the stage and having communication with it. - Thackeray. See also: omnibus that would force the 12 bills to be voted on as one package. "The best way to combat and control the gang situation in California is to address it in a comprehensive way," Sharon Runner said. "The Legislature must act to punish those who commit criminal acts at the direction of their gang and give law enforcement the ability to gain control of the situation. At this point, not acting is not an option." gideon.rubin@dailynews.com (661) 267-7802 |
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