Issues

The Public’s Safety

Among the many issues the St. Louis County Attorney’s office takes on, public safety is critical. It’s important the County Attorney work to ensure the safety of St. Louis County’s citizens from a variety of avenues because this is not a simple, one-answer matter.

The office must prosecute criminals fairly yet vigorously, and in the most efficient manner possible, to hold criminals accountable. Effective prosecutions are costly, and in these times of budget cuts ensuring excellent prosecution practices means we will have to prioritize our every expenditure even more carefully than ever. Therefore, it’s essential the County Attorney’s office find yet more efficient ways to get the work done with fewer re­sources.

Melanie Ford with Ely Police Chief John Saw

Preventative measures are vital to the safety of the public. If we can stop crime before it starts, we greatly enhance public safety and save taxpayer dollars. This approach requires, for example, educating the public about an all-too-common component of crime: drug use, especially methamphetamines and prescription drugs. Most of the homicides prosecuted today by the St. Louis County Attorney’s office occurred while the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol or because of drug-related activity. By working on the critical issue of drugs with law enforcement, schools, community agencies and organizations, businesses, and families, the County Attorney’s office can help deter some of the most serious crimes.

We must educate our communities, as well, in the importance of keeping our kids in school, away from crime and drugs. Because some of our children of today will, sadly, make up the prison population of tomorrow, we must work to reinforce the idea that school attendance matters. A common thread among the prison population is the lack of a high school education. With tutoring programs for chronically truant students and “problem-solving courts”—an alternative to jail that can help juvenile and adult offenders find life-long solutions to drug and alcohol-abuse or mental-health problems—we can cut crime, reduce risk to families, and decrease costs.

Equal Justice

Equal justice is in itself an important part of public safety. That’s because by ensuring that everyone is treated fairly and equitably—we help to ensure a level of cooperation that can only enhance the safety in our communities.

One of the most troubling statistics regarding this issue is the data that shows a disproportionate number of minorities in St. Louis County are incarcerated, including a disproportionate number of minority youths. It’s essential, therefore, that we continue to audit policies and procedures that could be contributing to this inequity, create successful reform strategies, and implement a justice system that will serve all members of the community fairly.

We must find ways to keep those youth who are involved in the justice system in their own community and out of detention, whenever possible. It’s very expensive to incarcerate people, and studies show that troubled youth who are confined only have greater problems in the future. Although there is obviously the need to detain some juveniles, we must eliminate the inappropriate or unnecessary use of secure detention.

It’s crucial, as we work to provide equal justice, that the County Attorney and staff listen to the concerns of citizens who come to the County Attorney’s office and ensure that laws are applied equally, regardless of economic status, race, or other potentially discriminatory characteristics.

Protecting Our Children and the Most Vulnerable

By protecting the children and the most at-risk individuals in St. Louis County, we strengthen our community, help ensure a better future for our citizens, and often cut costs, thus reserving our resources for other equally critical uses.

The County Attorney’s office has been exceeding federal guidelines in determining paternity cases and enforcing child support, and it’s imperative we continue to strive to do so. The County Attorney also files cases on behalf of children needing protective services, in mental health/chemical dependency commitment petitions, in seeking child support orders after establishing paternity for children, and for the protection of vulnerable adults. These activities must continue to be important priorities.

As we work to enhance public safety, one key component is assisting victims of crime. By actively assisting victims, we ensure they get the help they need for their personal health and safety, facilitate the timely prosecution of the perpetrator, help break the cycle of crime, and lessen the impact of crime on families and our communities.

The Office of the County Attorney informs victims of the progress of their cases, seeks their input on charges and pleas, refers victims to services, assists them with victim impact statements, and informs victims of their rights. It’s important that we not only provide these services but that we also take steps to ensure families and victims are aware the services are available.

And, again, protecting children and the vulnerable also means we must provide a justice system that treats youth and the at-risk fairly, regardless of race and other factors. It also means we keep children in school, thus reducing the possibility they will not only become involved in crime but that they will become victims of crime themselves.

Making the County Attorney’s Work Visible

For the County Attorney’s office to be effective, its programs and policies must be visible to the people of the County. It’s very important the citizens of St. Louis County know what the County Attorney’s office can do for them, what the office has been undertaking on their behalf, and what are the office’s long-term goals.

The County Attorney’s office must ensure the public is informed of what the office does—and can make that happen by meeting regularly with law enforcement, education representatives, community agencies and organizations, neighborhood clubs, students in the classroom, and others. In addition, interns representing the County Attorney’s office in such activities as tutoring for repeat truants can help bring the message of what the County Attorney’s office can do to those who need that information most.

The County Attorney is also a visible advocate for the citizens of St. Louis County in front of the County Board of Commissioners, judges, and the state’s lawmakers as a way to ensure all citizens are safe and their rights protected.

Cutting Costs While Retaining Quality Work

In these challenging economic times, it’s especially important the County Attorney have the financial and budget skills to work with the office’s complex budget demands.

The County Attorney must be able to handle the administrative needs of the office and bring new technologies and practices into the workplace to make it more efficient. And when budget items must be reduced or cut and expenses lowered, the County Attorney must have ability to find the most cost-efficient ways to run the office.

My background as a business owner and community leader have made it possible for me to be effective in establishing the budget for the Office of the County Attorney and deal with the demands of increasing budget restraints. I’ve found that a leadership style such as mine, that encourages collaboration and non-adversarial resolution, is critical at a time when budget demands and the very real needs in the County have often seemed at odds.

In the years to come, it will be even more vital the County Attorney have a broad knowledge of budgets, administrative requirements, and best office practices as we strive to work within budget yet retain the high level of service St. Louis County’s citizens deserve.