Attorney General's News Release

Dec. 19, 1997

Nixon demands gun-free school zones, fast-track drug courts, alternative schools

Kansas City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon today told a group of local, state and federal law enforcement leaders meeting in Kansas City that Missouri needs new crime fighting tools for the 21st century, including gun-free school zones, alternative schools and fast-track drug courts.

Outlining his 1998 anti-crime legislative package at a luncheon of the Greater Kansas City Law Enforcement Executives, Nixon said Missouri must increase its commitment to the fight against crime by focusing on protecting children and providing successful intervention programs for those who are at risk.

"This next level of crime fighting in Missouri will focus on early intervention," Nixon said. "We have been tough and had great success in closing the loopholes in our laws and reforming our juvenile code. It is now time to increase our commitment to fight against crime by supporting programs targeting troubled juveniles and keeping them from a life of crime. These will be our crime fighting tools for the 21st century.

"This in no way lessens my commitment to protecting society. Juveniles and adults who commit violent crimes and who sell drugs should be in prison," said Nixon, whose "Get Tough" juvenile proposals were passed by the General Assembly in 1996. "But the cost of supporting programs to help young people is much less than the cost of housing them in prison for the rest of their lives."

Since Nixon was elected Attorney General, the prison population in Missouri has grown from 12,000 to 24,000. Nixon said the next level of crime fighting should focus on the following:

Gun-Free School Zones: Nixon is proposing gun-free school zones. "This is a common-sense safety issue," he said. "It sends an important message in support of our young people and our schools." The proposed legislation would make it a Class D felony to carry a firearm on a school bus or within 1,000 feet of a school.

Support for alternative schools: There are currently more than 50 alternative schools operating in the state. Many are funded in part by the three-year grant program provided by the Safe Schools Act. Nixon is calling for continued commitment for alternative schools beyond the three-year period, with state-assisted start-up costs and state matches of 50 percent for the alternative schools created under the guidelines established by the Safe Schools Act.

"Alternative schools work in two ways," Nixon said. "First, they remove the disruptive students from the classroom, allowing teachers to focus attention on students who want to learn. Second, they work directly with the troubled students and help them get back on track. Law enforcement supports alternative schools from a crime fighting perspective, schoolteachers support them because they make our schools safer and better."

Fast-track drug courts: Fast-track drug courts give top priority to drug related cases and prevent drug dealers from being back on the streets awaiting trial. They also place first-time offenders into a treatment program required by the court. Failure to complete the program results in prison time.

"For meth dealers and other drug dealers, these courts get them off the street and out of the community faster," Nixon said. "For first-time dealers, the recidivism rate is much lower in the fast-track drug courts than in other treatment programs." Nixon also has been working with law enforcement officials and prosecutors in a joint proposal to toughen state laws dealing with methamphetamine. Nixon supports:

Increasing the penalty for meth possession and reducing the quantity to qualify for a felony, which provides more consistency in punishment for possession of similar amounts of meth and other highly addictive drugs such as heroin and crack cocaine.

Expanding the list of over-the-counter products used in the production of meth that must be registered when sold in bulk.

Providing direct prosecutorial and other legal services to the state's 24 regional drug task forces. Only a few of the task forces are staffed by federal prosecutors and many of the others must rely on overburdened, part-time local prosecutors.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818