Carter and Crime (Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter 1st debate)/Tab B
CRIME/DRUGS
The key to lowering the crime rate, Carter says, is to find jobs for the seven per cent unemployed in America. He favors handgun registration, and prohibition of the sale of cheap firearms, as well as "heavy punishment for those who push any kind of drugs, including marijuana." However, he now believes that marijuana ought to be decriminalized (as opposed to legalized) making simple possession a misdemeanor.
Although he has not campaigned as a law-and-order candidate, his 1970 statement on campus violence and the restoration of order show him to be more conservative on the crime issue than he at first appears. He said that he would issue shoot-to-kill orders in campuses where disorder had become chronic and that he would "be as tough as I possibly can be in stamping out drugs." His positions on legalized gambling and capital punishment have varied.
CRIME-DRUGS
It is "apparent that the local governments in the urban areas must have help from the states in the form of planning and finance if the problems of crime are to be solved." If elected governor Carter would "immediately set up a special section of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to combat organized crime."
Atlanta Constitution
July 7, 1966
Carter said he sees three "misunderstood" Georgians - the middle class who are "sick and tired of the apparent breakdown in law and order," the policeman who "performs a most sensitive function in a complicated modern society, most often without adequate training or compensation," and the young criminal who, under the current system "will be unlikely to realize his potential and assume a useful and productive role in society."
Atlanta Constitution
May 14, 1970
Carter promised a Jaycee meeting that he would put an end to pornography, prostitution, and drug traffic in Atlanta if he were elected governor.
Atlanta Constitution
August 6, 1970
"I see the beginning of a major institution of organized crime here, (Columbus) Carter said the "numbers racket" is the top threat centered in Atlanta followed by liquor law violations, auto theft, drug sales, prostitution and pornography."
Columbus Ledger
August 7, 1970
"I'm not in favor of shifting the GBI from the Department of Public Safety to the Attorney General's office. I would like to have adequate time during my administration to increase the quality of the GBI and approach the standards and training and pay and professional excellence to that of the present GBI."
Interview
Atlanta Constitution
September 24, 1970
"If violence actually erupted on a campus...I would call in the state patrol or the GBI, area, or in an extreme case, the best qualified National Guard unit available to me. I would be there with them in person to be sure that they did their jobs properly. I would let them have adequate arms and ammunition, and I would be personally responsible for their performance of duty."
Interview
Atlanta Constitution
September 24, 1970
Carter warned there is organized crime in the state. He read price quotations on drugs from a magazine which is "peddled in the notorious hippie district of Atlanta."
Savannah Morning News
October 13, 1970
"If God gives me the power, I will stamp out the use of drugs in Georgia. It's one of the most devastating afflictions to come on our state. I know the problem is concentrated on college campuses. I know it's wrong."
Savannah Morning News
October 24, 1970
Carter, holding a news conference at his Valdosta headquarters, said he would commit the National Guard to "take whatever action is necessary to protect innocent lives, including shoot-to-kill orders, if that is necessary as a last resort to restore order" in a riot. Carter said he had "always said I will not permit disruptions in our cities and on our college campuses."
Savannah Morning News
October 27, 1970
"I'm going to be as tough as I possibly can be in stamping out drugs."
Atlanta Constitution
October 27, 1970
"I favor retention of capital punishment."
Atlanta Constitution
November 1, 1970
"I'm opposed to legalized gambling and if the legislature passes a bill authorizing the legalization of gambling, I will veto it."
Atlanta Constitution
November 1, 1970
Carter pledged to begin work to coordinate law enforcement immediately after his inauguration to stamp out crime "centered in the hippie area" of Atlanta.
"One of the first things I intend to do after the inauguration is to call in the state and federal agents along with Chief (Herbert) Jenkins of Atlanta and ask them what help I can give them as governor of the state."
Combatting crime in the area might include "stricter enforcement of housing standards." "Also we now have only six federal drug officers in Georgia. We have an allotment of eight and I'm going to ask the Attorney General of the United States to fill out the complement."
Atlanta Constitution
He asked two Georgia Superior Court judges to take over as head of the Corrections Department. Both said no.
"I think my strong feelings about this (corrections) as governor will help to incline more people to participate in this, which I consider a great challenge in state government."
Atlanta Constitution
January 5, 1971
To gain more interest in serving the state by working in the "dirty" field of criminal justice, Carter says he wants to raise the image of the Corrections and Pardons and Paroles Board membership nearly to the status of judgeships.
Atlanta Constitution
January 5, 1971
"We cannot educate a child, build a highway, equalize tax burdens, create harmony among people, or preserve basic human freedom unless we have an orderly society. Crime and lack of justice are especially cruel to those who are least able to protect themselves. Swift arrest and trial and fair punishment should be expected by those who would break our laws. It is equally important to us that every effort be made to rehabilitate law breakers into useful and productive members of society.
Atlanta Constitution
January 13, 1971
"As I have said many times, I do not intend to see our campuses disrupted and I will enforce the law."
Atlanta Constitution
January 15, 1971
Governor Jimmy Carter said he agrees with the Supreme Court decision upholding jury-imposed death penalties.
Although he said he would be "personally reluctant to impose the death penalty," the governor said threat of execution may serve as "a restraining influence" in many instances.
"I do not believe at this time society can afford the use of the death penalty. I do believe that this is a deterrent, especially in certain cases such as in the murder of a prison guard by someone already under life sentence."
Atlanta Constitution
May 4, 1971
"I am not convinced that the Veterans Administration alone should be expected to be able of mounting the many types of programs required to treat heroin addiction among returning servicemen."
Atlanta Journal
June 23, 1971
Atlanta Constitution
July 2, 1971
"To those of us who work daily in the state and local levels of government it is imperative that we and the Federal government muster the courage to confront the conflicting and confusing usses that surround the subject of drug abuse..."
Drug Prevention and Control Hearings
92nd Congress, 1st Session
July 15, 1971
"Our biggest single obstacle so far has been the fragmentation of effort in drug addiction control among so many governmental agencies, each of them jealously guarding its independent prerogative and authority. Within Georgia, I am using the full persuasive influence of the Governor's office to overcome this handicap among the state, county and city agenices. The help readily being offered must be part of this single effort within our state, and legislation concerning treatment, and perhaps control of drug addiction and alcoholism should certainly consolidate federal efforts."
Drug Prevention and Control Hearings
92nd Congress, 1st Session
July 15, 1971
"I have wrested from all state agencies, about 14, their previous authority, fragmented as it was, to control the drug problem and have placed it in a single state agency headed by Dr. Peter Bourne."
Drug Prevention and Control Hearings
92 Congress, 1st Session
July 15, 1971
"Let's make no mistake." Carter said. "Heroin addiction among servicemen is due in large part to low morale, weak discipline and poor educational programs. In short, military leadership is part of the problems."
Atlanta Constitution
July 16, 1971
Speech,
July 22, 1971
Carter said that lighter sentences for marijuana possessors could "possibly" encourage its usage, but, he added, the risk must be balanced against sending a first offender to Reidsville State Penitentiary for two years, "where he may become a lifetime criminal."
Speech, Meet the College Press
WAUC Radio
Atlanta Constitution
September 5, 1971
"I say again that I am going to stake my reputation as a Governor and as a human being, as a public servant and guarantee that when I go out of office, a short two and a half years from now, that Georgia will have a prison system and offender rehabilitation system and a system of criminal justice that, I believe, will be the best in the U. S."
Speech, Georgia Association of Broadcasters
June 13, 1972
Carter lashed out at "unscrupulous" lawyers he said are bleeding state prison inmates with "exhorbitant" fees for needless representation at State Pardon and Parole Board hearings."
Atlanta Constitution
August 26, 1972
Carter said he feels the spread of pornography has resulted in a "loosening of the nation's morals." He added: "I think filthy bookstores and peep movies have gone too far...I'd like to see them ceased."
Atlanta Journal
September 16, 1972
Atlanta Journal
April 19, 1973
"There's another point that I want to make, and this is perhaps the most important thing in the minds of many Americans--the respect for the law and for the orderly processes of society. I have to admit here that we must yield to the Republicans on this point. They have a natural advantage over us because within the White House Staff itself they have qualified people who know the law on both sides. I believe that most Americans are willing to forgive mistakes, and I believe that most Americans respect a leader's right to misjudge his subordinates, but Americans do not appreciate deliberate concealing of the truth, and they do not appreciate a breakdown in the respect for the top official responsible for law and order in this nation. They do not appreciate a deliberate continuing effort to protect the big shot and to put the blame on the little man who can't protect himself."
Speech,
April 21, 1973
"...I don't consider it an improper administration of justice to have someone considered for parole at the conclusion of seven years in prison ... We now have a very fine prison system; I think by the time I go out of office we'll have one as fine as any in the country. "
Speech, Georgia State University
July 30, 1973
"...Although I think it's wrong and I would not be in favor of legalizing marijuana to a misdemeanor instead of a felony and we've established, I think, an attitude on the part of the Georgia people that the drug addict, even one addicted to heroin ought not to be put in jail, but he ought to be treated for his affliction or illness with methadone treatment and with psychological and psychiatric analysis and with job placement counselling...
(Re: heroin pushers)...I would personally favor changing the Georgia law to encompass perhaps a mandatory life sentence to get those people out of Georgia and let them go somewhere else if they want to push their wares."
Speech, Georgia State University
July 30, 1973
Carter said that he plans to ask for mandatory life sentences for convicted drug peddlers during the 1974 session of the General Assembly. (He did.)
Atlanta Constitution
August 13, 1973
Carter reiterated his support for life sentences for convicted pushers of hard drugs.
Atlanta Constitution
September 10, 1973
Atlanta Constitution
November 24, 1973
"We need clear definitions of dangerous substances and laws which require suitable punishments for drug violations, including a mandatory life sentence for repeated pushers of hard and addictive drugs."
Speech, State of the State Message
January 14, 1974
"I want to see our drug laws clarified and strengthened to ensure that the legal risks of trafficking in drugs exceeds the profits in them.
"The only reason for pushing dope now is a fat profit coupled with delayed and uncertain conviction and weak penalties."
Speech, State of the State Message
January 14, 1974
"We're making substantial moves toward stamping out broad-based organized crime syndicates that exist in the Gainesville - northeast Georgia area."
Speech, Georgia Municipal Association, Mayor's Day
January 21, 1974
Carter, citing "grossly overcrowded" conditions in the state prison system, has asked Georgia's state and superior court judges to place more criminals on probation instead of sending them to packed state prisons.
Atlanta Constitution
February 8, 1974
Carter says he is trying to create awareness "that a prisoner was not inherently to be despised, that he had the same yearning for human dignity and acceptance and a life of achievements as we ourselves have."
Speech, B'nai B'rith
April 20, 1974
(Talking about the prison system.) "95% of those who are presently incarcerated in prisons will be returned to be our neighbors."
Speech, Law Day, University of Georgia
May 4, 1974
"Organized crime exists with impunity in many parts of the state because local officials have no inclination to investigate or prosecute."
Atlanta Constitution
October 23, 1974
Atlanta Constitution
October 23, 1974
"We need a single federal alcohol-drug institute so that all those working in this broad and interrelated field can go to a single source for information and support."
Atlanta Constitution
December 19, 1974
"Something is wrong with our system of justice...Defendants who are repeatedly out on bail commit more crimes. Aggravating trial delays and endless litigation are common."
U.S. News and World Report
September 22, 1975
Carter said that controlling crime is a "tough question." He said, "I don't think that incarceration is the answer. I've never seen a rehabilitation result from long incarceration in prison. I think a streamlining of the court procedures, or an abbreviation of the trial procedure, assure punishment of a briefer period of time, administrative officers for the courts, an emphasis on prevention of crime in areas where crime is so rampant with not building jailhouses, but having more concentrations of police officers; better lighting would help, but the overall, only solution that I can see to the crime problem, and it would be substantive, is the reduction of unemployment."
CBS Interview
November 18, 1975
Carter would permit capital punishment in a few cases, such as a murder by a prison inmate serving a life sentence. He would also require judicial safeguards on the imposition of the penalty.
Washington Star
December 3, 1975
Carter claims credit for a "comprehensive judicial reform package" in Georgia.
Press Release
December 3, 1975
"I honestly believe -- and you may not like my answer -- that one of the best ways to cut down on crime is to cut down on unemployment...Your own son, if out in the street and unable to find work, might turn to crime."
New York Times Magazine
December 14, 1975
New York Times Magazine
December l4, 1975
Carter favors decriminalization of marijuana.
Vermont Times - Argus
December 27, 1975
In response to a poll by NORML, Carter stated that he favored decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana. Civil fines would be imposed instead. Carter does, however, favor retaining criminal penalties for sale or distribution.
Washington Star
January 19, 1976
"You see red people in prison, you see black people, well educated people, ignorant people, mentally retarded...But you never see any rich people there."
Speech, CFA Conference
January 23, 1976
"But the overall, only solution that I can see to the crime problem is in the reduction of unemployment.
"I don't think that incarceration in prison is the answer."
Human Events
January 31, 1976
Carter wants to make possession of small amounts of marijuana subject to a "civil fine" but retain criminal penalties for sale and distribution.
Indianapolis Star
March 9, 1976
I favor the decriminalization of marijuana.
Washington Post
March 20, 1976
Carter favors the restoration of the death penalty for some crimes.
Pittsburgh Press
April 28, 1976
"I don't favor legalization of marijuana. I do favor decriminalization."
I.S.U. (Gary, Indiana)
May 3, 1976
Speech, I.S.U. (Gary, Indiana)
May 3, 1976
If Senate Bill S.1 should be passed in (that) form, (as it stands today) I would veto it."
Speech, I.S.U. (Gary, Indiana)
May 3, 1976
"I also favor heavy punishment for those who push any kind of drugs, including marijuana."
Speech,
Akron, Ohio
June 3, 1976
Not having studied law, I've had to learn the hard way...One of the sources for my understanding about the proper application of criminal justice and the system of equity is from reading (theologian) Reinhold Niebuhr...The other source of my understanding about what's right and wrong in this society is from a friend of mine, a poet named Bob Dylan..."
National Observer
June 19, 1976
"I fover decriminalization of marijuana." (fund raising letter signed by Carter)
Human Events
June 26, 1976