SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced his support for Proposition 69, the DNA Fingerprint, Unsolved

Crime and Innocence Protection Act, that establishes an all-felon DNA database

for California.  The Republican governor's support, in addition to Democratic

State Attorney General Bill Lockyer, underscores the bipartisan support

Proposition 69 enjoys.

   

"Governor Schwarzenegger is a champion for the people of California and we

are thrilled to have his support for such a critical issue," said Bruce

Harrington, the initiative's sponsor and campaign chairman.  "California's

current DNA database is too small and unable to deal with the thousands of

unsolved rapes, murders and child abductions.  Proposition 69 is the solution,

giving public safety officials and defense attorneys a powerful new tool that

will solve crimes and protect the innocent.  Governor Schwarzenegger's

endorsement is a huge benefit to the campaign, and we look forward to working

with him and winning on Election Day."

   

Written by public safety experts, Proposition 69 is nonpartisan and

endorsed by every major statewide law enforcement organization, district

attorneys, sheriffs, police chiefs, crime scene investigators, victims'

advocates, Republicans and Democrats.  Proposition 69 requires convicted

felons and those arrested for rape and murder to give DNA, collected by mouth

swab, not blood, for a statewide database.

   

Starting in , all felony arrestees will also be tested, but those not

convicted can have their sample removed from the database.  Taking DNA during

the booking process at the same time as old-fashioned fingerprints and mug

shots provides police a proven high tech suspect identification tool that

results in accurate investigations.  No wasted time chasing false leads, the

21st century DNA fingerprint provides proof-positive evidence of innocence or

guilt.  Not including California, 34 states across America already have all-

felon DNA databases.

   

"Virginia has an all-felon DNA database including felony arrestees,"

California District Attorneys Association president Dave Paulson said.

"Virginia's population is less than Los Angeles County, but that state solves

more crimes with DNA than California. Virginia reports that more than 80 percent of

cold hits on the state's DNA database would have been missed if the database

had been limited only to violent offenders.  The early identification of

repeat offenders is a proven result with a comprehensive all-felon DNA

database."

   

Harrington's brother and sister-in-law were murdered by one of America's

most brutal serial murderer-rapists.  In Northern California he is known as

the East Area Rapist, in southern California, as the Original Nightstalker.

Detectives have the rapist/killer's DNA, but California's database lacks a

matching profile.  They believe the Harrington murders could have been

prevented if DNA technology and a complete database were available back then.

  

 "Proposition 69 can prevent thousands of crimes by taking dangerous

criminals off the streets," said Harrington. "Precise DNA technology can also

make sure that innocent people are quickly exonerated.  DNA is a 21st century

fingerprint that will help public safety officials save lives."

 

Source: Californians for the DNA Fingerprint Yes on 69