Fox News
SAN FRANCISCO A renewed enforcement of a 10-year-old law has reaped big new benefits in San Francisco, where police cite it as a primary factor in a recent drop in homicides.
"Triggerlock," (search) as the federal law is known, allows police to arrest suspected violent criminals on lesser charges. After an arrest is made, police search the suspect for guns. If they find even one, the suspect can be sentenced to 10 years in prison, effectively keeping him or her off the street.
The San Francisco Police Department (search ) turned to the law in the wake of a spike in homicides in early 2004, which they say may have been due to a rise in gang activity, as opposed to increased numbers of criminals in the city.
Lt. John Murphy, (search ) who works in the departments gang unit, said, there was a handful of thugs who were basically killing people left and right and they didnt care. Cops said nabbing the suspects was the key to reducing the violence.
Cops credit Triggerlock with the success. After its implementation, the second half of 2004 saw marked drop in homicides, down to 35 from 53. Murphy cited the removal of gang members and leaders as chief among the successes of Triggerlock.
Hmmm....*ponders SAW*....
