Anti-crime bills head to Senate floor

Proposals would ease searches of those on probation, deny bail to repeat offenders

COLUMBIA — The state Legislature got one step closer to putting in place a crime-fighting package local police believe will make communities safer.

Bills to allow authorities to search offenders on probation or parole without a warrant and one that would allow judges to deny bail to repeat offenders were sent to the Senate floor Tuesday.

"I think we posted some big wins today," Senate President Pro Tem Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said after the Senate Judiciary Committee meeting.

"I see us, as of now, having moved forward on almost every front that we could. After talking to the police chiefs, most of their agenda is now moving in the Legislature."

North Charleston Police Chief Jon Zumalt and Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen, along with other top Charleston County police officials, have sought the Legislature's help in fighting violent crime and keeping dangerous criminals off the streets and outlined a five-point plan for doing so.

As part of the effort to address what they see as shortcomings in the criminal justice system, the police officials also want the Legislature to hire more judges and abolish parole for violent offenders and require that they serve at least 85 percent of their sentence before becoming eligible for release.

Another element would allow authorities to collect DNA samples at the time of arrest for certain crimes. That bill passed the Senate in January and is awaiting consideration in the House.

Zumalt said the bills passed by the Senate committee Tuesday would go a long way to help police and state probation agents control problem criminals.

"I'm just thrilled by this," Zumalt said. "I'm very proud of Senators McConnell and Ford for sponsoring this, and very thankful it was approved by the committee."

Sen. Robert Ford, D-Charleston, has been an advocate of strengthening the criminal justice system. On Tuesday, he implored his colleagues on the Judiciary

Committee to support the legislation involving bail for repeat offenders, calling it a "key element" in the crime-fighting package. The committee voted 21-0 on that bill.

On the bill regarding warrantless searches, the committee voted 21-1 to send it to the Senate floor for consideration. Sen. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, voted in opposition.

Like Zumalt, Mullen and Charleston Mayor Joe Riley commended the Senate for its support and echoed a belief that it could make the community safer.

House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, said he is inclined to support the legislation. House Majority Leader Jim Merrill of Daniel Island said the same, although he is not sure the answer to violent crime can be found in the Statehouse.

"A lot of it is societal changes that I am not sure any law is going to necessarily affect," Merrill said. "Many of the norms and standards that used to exist are now just kind of wiped away. Common decency and expectations aren't there anymore. I just don't know if laws can change that."

David Slade contributed to this report. Reach Yvonne Wenger at (803) 799-9051 or ywenger@postandcourier.com. Reach Glenn Smith at gsmith@postandcourier.com.