Public Safety

Federal, state, and local officials decide how to keep the public safe. Federal leaders and the state legislature decide what is a crime and how crimes are punished. Local DAs decide whether to prosecute someone for an alleged crime or offer diversion programs. Local sheriffs oversee county jails, manage jail staff, and oversee the quality of daily conditions for those in custody. Elected judges decide on sentences, including who gets detained, for how long, and when to use the death penalty. The state legislature determines gun safety laws and which weapons have restrictions on who can buy them, while local sheriffs approve or deny gun permits. Local leaders decide how many police officers to hire, how to outfit and train police, and can fund alternative community safety programs.

If you care about public safety, it’s on your ballot! Click on an office below to learn how they impact safety in your community.