Some people take public safety for granted — until it’s gone. Safety is not a luxury preserved for the elite, but the foundation of a livable community. Without it, everything else collapses: business, education and the daily life of work and play. So why do Rep. Val Hoyle and other elected officials act as though this isn’t true? Countless examples show their disregard for the rule of law, public safety and crime victims. Recent events have exposed just how flawed their policies and priorities are — policies that fail to protect the interests of innocent, law-abiding citizens.
Asian American business owners in Eugene and Springfield felt this breakdown in public safety firsthand. Prosecutors say a seven-person burglary crew spent more than a year traveling across states, staying in Airbnbs and targeting homes while victims were at work — using sophisticated surveillance tools to target homes. There were at least 20 such cases in Lane County. The crime spree grew so alarming that community meetings formed, with victims asking who was behind the attacks and whether they were motivated by hate.
In early October, Eugene police tracked down and arrested the suspects, and local prosecutors filed charges. Soon after, it emerged that the crew were Colombian nationals who had entered the country illegally. Despite being obvious flight risks, several were released from Lane County Jail. ICE quickly detained two of the perpetrators at the jail, while two others were caught trying to flee nearby. Once again, Oregon’s absurd bail and catch-and-release policies helped criminals escape prosecution, a point Lane County District Attorney Chris Parosa made in a recent TV interview…