Madison, WI – Rep. Cindi Duchow (R-Delafield) voted to advance the legislative Republican “Tougher on Crime” package as well as other bills that impose stronger penalties for violent and repeat criminal offenders, repeat drunk driving offenders and crimes against elder persons.
FBI data show violent crime rates from 2008 to 2017 increased in all but two Wisconsin cities. For all ten cities combined, the violent crime rate increased 24 percent. This package of bills was developed with input of law enforcement and criminal justice experts to identify and target the root causes of this problem in Wisconsin.
“The growing violent crime problem in Wisconsin is concerning and must be addressed. This package establishes a new level of accountability in the criminal justice system,” said Rep. Duchow. “I’m confident these bills will make a real impact on our communities and allow families to feel safe in their homes.”
In addition to providing real consequences for violent or repeat criminals, this package of bills increases protections for crime victims, reforms the signature bail process and provides additional transparency in the criminal justice system.
Legislators also approved a bill to increase the penalty for knowingly reporting a false emergency, otherwise known as “swatting,” to a Class I felony. This penalty aligns “swatting” with other severe false reporting incidents like bomb threats and terroristic threats.
“Wisconsin has had dozens of swatting incidents, including right here in Hartland,” said Rep. Duchow. “This serious crime wastes an incredible amount of resources and puts innocent lives in danger, and I believe this bill will deter these dangerous situations in the future.”
