JUST TELL THE TRUTH, TOM

(The whole truth)

Tom Carr says: “It is an Urban Myth that we proposed a nine-month sentence for man stealing a $1.50 can of tuna.  I keep hearing it, but I have never seen proof it ever happened.”

THE TRUTH: In a 2004 memo to Nick Licata, Tom Carr goes into great detail supporting the recommended nine-month sentence for the tuna thief who had declined to participate in mental health court. At the end of the memo, Carr noted:  “Unfortunately, in this case, the judge disagreed and imposed virtually no sanction on the defendant …”

Tom Carr says: “I am chairman of the state’s Sunshine Committee.”

THE TRUTH: It isn’t anything to brag about. The legislature hasn’t adopted any of the committee’s recommendations, and some have proposed to disband the committee as “ineffective.” In the meantime, the legislature did create seven new exemptions to public disclosure. There are now more than 300 exemptions to the state public disclosure law.

Tom Carr says:  “I’ve partnered with public defenders, mental health treatment providers and Municipal Court Judges to manage low-risk mentally ill offenders in the community instead of in jail." 

THE TRUTH: The program was created in 1999, long before Carr was involved. This isn’t something special he does, it just means he comes to work, and that he hasn’t shut down the program.

   The tuna incident (above) is a much better example of how Carr approaches the mentally ill.

Tom Carr says: “I am a champion for better laws for pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists.”

THE TRUTH: He proposed an ordinance that was immediately overturned by the Seattle Municipal Court judges. The lower court ruling was recently upheld by the Court of Appeals.

Tom Carr says: “While my opponent spent 7 years beating up on the police department, I have worked tirelessly and side-by-side with officers to deliver justice and protection to our residents.”

THE TRUTH: “The incumbent’s breathless hyperbole says a lot about his disdain for civilian oversight of law enforcement.”

    Pete’s tenure the police oversight board focused exclusively on the Seattle Police Department’s misconduct investigation system. The board’s work resulted in 29 important changes -- including agreement that the police chief should not be involved in internal investigations, and the end of criminal background checks on complainants.

     The goal always was to enhance OPA’s acceptance by both communities of color and rank-and-file police as the fair and efficient arbiter of police misconduct complaints—making our streets safer for officers and civilians alike.

The boards many reports can still be viewed online at         http://www.seattle.gov/council/oparb/reports.htm.”

Tom Carr says: (We’ll let him speak for himself):

http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2009/09/14/why-is-city-attorney-tom-carr-outraged