Public safety is a dish best served cold

Serial arsonist tries his hand at early release
A serial arsonist was in court today, pitching his case for early release under Oregon's possibly-short-lived state bill 3508.

But is this prisoner deserving of less prison time for good behavior? That was the question in a Marion County court Wednesday as convicted arsonist Jerry Nicholson Jr. tried to take advantage of a new state "early release" law.

Ninety-year-old Cleathel Knox of Stayton, Ore., went before a Marion County judge asking the judge not to release the man convicted of trying to burn down her house - while she was inside.

Nicholson, meanwhile, speaking to the judge by phone, pitched his case: "I'd like to say that me, myself, I don't think I'm a threat to society if I get out early."

So a 90 year old women has to beg a judge to keep the guy in jail who tried to burn her house down. Thankfully when it comes to public safety we do still have Lily Caceres.

Her job?
Minority Services Hispanic/Latina Coordinator
Office of Minority Services
Oregon Youth Authority

I know what you are thinking, isn't public safety better served by keeping arsonists in jail rather than pandering to racial groups of juvenille delinquents?

I would have thought so to until I read this "thank you letter" that she got:

I want you to know how much I appreciate Lily Caceres’ assistance in navigating and setting up an appointment with the Mexican Consulate. It was wonderful to have Lily’s help to facilitate the meeting. Lily continues to work very hard at bridging gaps between systems like the consulate in Portland and OYA. She assisted my youth in obtaining his Oregon I.D. and Mexican I.D. I thought you should pass this information on to her supervisor to let her know she is very much appreciated.

I am willing to tolerate a few burned down houses if it means that juvenille criminals are getting help aquiring their foreign ID.