Scott: Repeat offenders are not serving enough time

Reporter: Adam Wright Writer: Stanley B. Chambers Jr.
Photographer: Adam Wright
Published: Updated:
Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott

Fort Myers, Fla. – Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott says he is “sick and tired” of the same people committing crimes.

“We’re putting people in jail…but we’re putting the same people in jail over and over and over again,” he said. “I suppose I liken it to a vicious dog, an aggressive dog…guess what happens when you let the dog out? It bites somebody else.”

Scott spoke in response to a Dec. 19 post on the sheriff’s office’s Facebook page where he states, among other statistics, that within the past five years, 91 percent of Fort Myers homicide suspects have criminal backgrounds.

The statistics, compiled from data between 2011 and 2015, include:

  • LCSO worked 98 homicides countywide while Fort Myers had 79 homicides within city limits. Scott said there was a “predominance” of killings happening within the 33916 zip code.
  • 45 percent of homicide victims in LCSO’s jurisdiction had prior records – 44 out of 98 – compared to 76 percent in Fort Myers – 60 out of 79.
  • 20 percent of homicide victims in LCSO’s jurisdiction were criminal registrants – 20 of 98 – compared to 35 percent in Fort Myers – 28 of 79.
  • 57 percent of homicide suspects in LCSO’s jurisdiction had prior records – 41 of 72 – compared to 91% for homicide suspects in FMPD’s jurisdiction – 32 of 35.
  • 19 percent of homicide suspects in LCSO’s jurisdiction were criminal registrants – 14 of 72 – compared to 34 percent for Fort Myers homicide suspects – 12 of 35.

“We have people that are needlessly becoming victims, not because law enforcement isn’t taking bad guys and girls off the streets,” Scott said.

Scott said the post was not to take shots at the court system or tell others how to do their job, but said something needs to change.

“Some have suggested that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again expecting a different outcome,” he said. “I would suggest that our criminal justice (system) has perhaps fallen into that category.”

Scott said he wants to see repeat offenders serve longer sentences similar to the maximum allowed by state law.

“The brave men and women of law enforcement are doing their job and doing it well, while the citizenry we serve continues to be victimized by ‘career criminals,'” Scott wrote. “How can it be that anyone is permitted to make a ‘career’ committing crime?”

The state Attorney’s Office was not available for comment. Fort Myers police declined to comment on Scott’s statements.

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