We at SAFE were shocked to recently learn that the California Highway Patrol, an organization that is responsible for “Safety, Service and Security”, strongly opposes this sensible action which has minimal costs and has proven to be effective in dramatically increasing safety in other states, namely Colorado.

The core of their opposition is based on their poorly researched and unsubstantiated statements that hit-and-run crimes occur because of undocumented immigrants. 80% of those who commit hit-and-run crimes are never identified, and their immigration status is unknown.  What we do know is according to LAPD, a large percentage of hit-and-run offenders who do get caught were running because they were driving drunk, not because of the color of their skin.

As a result of the CHP’s opposition, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Senator Beall is opposed to AB 8. This could kill the bill in the committee.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:
1) E-mail, call or fax letter of support to Senator Beall (the Chair of the Transportation Committee) or to your local Senator by Monday, June 29th. The following is a list of names and links to contact information:

Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose)
Chairman of the CA Senate Committee on Transportation and Housing

Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 5066
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4015
Fax: (916) 651-4915

Other Committee members include:
Senator Anthony Cannella (Vice Chair) (Merced, Fresno, Salinas)
 Senator Benjamin Allen (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, & Beach Cities)
Senator Patricia C. Bates (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Juan Capistrano)
Senator Ted Gaines (Redding, Rocklin, Folsom, Auburn, Lake Tahoe)
Senator Cathleen Galgiani (Stockton, Modesto, Lodi, Tracy)
Senator Connie M. Leyva (San Bernardino, Ontario, Pomona, Fontana)
Senator Mike McGuire (Eureka, Santa Rosa, San Rafael, Mill Valley)
Senator Tony Mendoza (Downey, Whittier, Cerritos, Buena Park, Pico Rivera, Montebello)
Senator Richard D. Roth (Riverside, Corona, Moreno Valley)
Senator Bob Wieckowski (South / East SF Bay, Hayward, Fremont, San Jose, Santa Clara)

2) The following is a sample letter to e-mail or fax Senator Beall and other committee members in your district:

(DATE)

The Honorable ________
California State Senate
State Capitol, Room _____
Sacramento, CA 95814

Regarding: Support of Assembly Bill 8 (Gatto), the Yellow Alert System

Dear Senator _____________,

According to the California Highway Patrol, hit-and-run crimes seriously injure or kill approximately 19,000 Californians each year.

I was shocked to hear that CHP, an organization that is responsible for “Safety, Service and Security”, would oppose a sensible action that has minimal costs and has proven to be effective in dramatically increasing safety in other states, namely Colorado.

With all due respect to the officers in CHP who put their lives on the line to protect our communities, the arguments presented by them are poorly researched and miss the entire point of this legislation.  What concerned me the most were their unsubstantiated statements that hit-and-run crimes occur because of undocumented immigrants.  80% of those who commit hit-and-run crimes are never identified, and their immigration status is unknown.  What we do know is according to LAPD, a large percentage of hit-and-run offenders who do get caught were running because they were driving drunk, not because of the color of their skin.

Please uphold your duty to protect and serve your constituents regardless of color and creed. Support AB 8.

Sincerely,

X_____________________
[Professional Title]

3) Use social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc…) to spread the word and gain support.  Use #PassAB8 and #EndHitandRuns.

Please let the Senate Transportation Committee know that the CHP views on this bill are grossly misinformed and AB8 is an essential part of fighting the epidemic of hit-and-run crimes.