Officer DeLong was a son, a brother, a friend, a husband, and a father to two young children. His life was tragically cut short, and his family will spend the rest of their lives without him. The pain of this loss is not an isolated incident; it is a resounding echo of the failure in our justice system that reverberates through families, communities, and law enforcement officers.

The current pretrial release laws in some states fail to provide adequate safeguards against the release of violent offenders. These offenders, when released, pose a serious risk not just to society, but to individuals like Officer DeLong, who dedicate their lives to protecting others. By addressing this critical flaw within our legal framework, we can prevent further tragedies and protect all members of our communities.

Statistics have shown that jurisdictions with more stringent pretrial release criteria have lower rates of recidivism, meaning that violent offenders are less likely to commit further crimes if their release is carefully monitored and conditional. In contrast, the premature release of such individuals undermines public safety and erodes trust in our justice system.

We must urge  lawmakers to implement reforms that would ensure more thorough vetting and monitoring of violent offenders before their release. Possible solutions include mandatory risk assessments by qualified professionals, increased funding for rehabilitation programs that address the root causes of crime, and the establishment of better support systems for monitoring post-release behavior.

The safety and well-being of our communities should be the priority of our legal system. We are calling on the decision-makers to act now to protect our families and communities, ensuring that no more lives are lost needlessly like Officer DeLong's. Reforming pretrial release laws is not just a legal necessity but a moral imperative.

Join us in advocating for reform that prioritizes safety and believes in justice that protects. Sign this petition to push for legislative changes to pretrial release laws, so that future tragedies can be prevented.

We believe in due process. We believe everyone is innocent until proven guilty. We also believe public safety matters. Our pretrial system should give judges the tools necessary to protect the community when serious risks are present.

Accountability before the next victim.