There was a time when hearing the news of another college coed in Washington’s University district being sexually assaulted in her dorm room, while she slept, would have shocked the senses of a community. I remember a time when reading headlines such as murders being up 38%, or rapes being up 70%, or perhaps even violent robberies being up over 80%, would have demanded action from the people placed in charge of protecting our community’s citizenry.
Unfortunately, these headlines are becoming commonplace, and the people have become numb to the suffering.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and hoping for a different outcome. I mention this because the 2022 election cycle is just days away, and civility in America is on the ballot, like it or not. The same cast of extremist legislators are asking you to keep them employed, despite the horrific policies they have deployed on peace loving America.
Cash bail reform, soft on crime polices and revolving door justice has been the fuel for the criminal fire spreading through our streets. “Defunding the police or reimagining policing” has been the dog whistle for the malcontents to thrive in peaceful communities across the state. This has been the mantra peddled by democrat leaders as they witness the bloody fallout on America’s families. Washington state’s democrat legislators, locally and federally own every bit of blame there is to cast in this regard; and it’s time we have this honest conversation.
Washington states legislators have had over a year and a half to fix the reckless policies they passed in the 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions. Instead of reversing these detrimental policies on policing, these ideologs chose to punt and continue the onslaught of the people. Blue states and cities lead the country in almost every violent and non-violent category due to their social justice implementation.
With a crime rate of 52 per 1000, Seattle now has one of the highest crimes rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes--from the smallest town to the largest cities. One’s chance of being a victim of violent crime is one in 19. All of this in just two short years. Welcome to the “new normal.”
This explosion of crime is 100% self-inflicted and policy driven by the party in power. With the majority in all three houses, they refused to act when the people cried out. In 2021, 21,570 of our fellow citizens lost their lives via homicide in the United States; and sadly, that number is expected to rise again in 2022.
As a candidate for higher office, I offer solutions to these self-inflicted wounds. I have bills ready to introduce on day one to penalize cities that defund their police. Same goes for fundamentalist prosecutors that continue to release criminals back onto the streets. My prosecutor responsibilities bill would hold them personally accountable for deviating from their mandate to protect and serve.
Additionally, when Seattle began defunding their police and firing their officers, I sponsored an outreach program in our city; and despite media and political backlash, we hired them. We recently welcomed another Seattle officer to the ranks just a month ago. As of today, we are essentially fully staffed, unlike most police departments in the surrounding area. Mill Creek citizens are safer because of it.
When the Washington State Supreme Court began legislating from the bench, and made things like heroin, methamphetamine, and fentanyl (which is now the number one killer of adults 18-45), legal to possess, I authored a bill to make it illegal again in our city. Law enforcement intervention is the tip of the spear in getting those out of addiction.
I recently authored and passed what some are calling the most sweeping anti-camping legislation in the state. This was a necessary and proactive approach, as we watched many cities around us sit on their hands; and be overrun with the chronically homeless. Edmonds has now adopted most of the language for their city.
I don’t say or list these things to boast, I do so because sometimes we need to be reminded what leadership sounds like. When there is chaos all around us, we need leaders that will stand and confront evil. For over 30 years I have done that on your behalf; and my community is safer for it. Whether it be in our nation’s military, our sheriff’s office, or in elected office; I have understood my role as a servant of the people; and carried out my duties with honor and distinction.
My unimpeachable record of public service speaks for itself.
I humbly ask for your vote in the upcoming election for the United States Congress. America desperately needs balance restored, but more importantly, it needs leaders that will work for the people, not the parties. ◆
Thank you and God bless you.
- Vincent Cavaleri
