LOS ANGELES, July 17 (UPI) -- Los Angeles police are enlisting the aid of the public to prevent the early release of inmates from state prisons to save money.
The Los Angeles Police Protective League issued an action alert Friday warning that lawmakers in Sacramento are considering a state budget allowing the early release of felons to local communities.
"The early release of felons from state prison is one of the strategies to score budget savings," the LAPPL alert said. "Our sources inform us that the proposed budget will result in a reduction of $1.2 billion in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation."
The organization says independent research groups have determined that for every 5,000 felons who receive early release, 45,500 new crimes will be committed in a three-year period.
"Applied to the 20,000 felons set for release under the budget proposal, this would result in an estimated 182,000 new crimes," the protective league says.
