Ventura County's two top lawmakers stood together Wednesday in opposition to Proposition 36, a ballot initiative that would divert many nonviolent drug offenders into treatment rather than to jail or prison. Flanked by prosecutors, narcotics officers and members of the county's various drug treatment programs, Sheriff Bob Brooks and Dist. Atty. Michael D. Bradbury each warned of dire social consequences if the initiative is approved by voters Tuesday. "Nobody here in law enforcement is against rehabilitation, but it doesn't mean we don't need to keep aggressive law enforcement," Bradbury said at a news conference outside the main entrance to the Ventura County Jail. [continues 148 words]
For Sheriff's Capt. Frank O'Hanlon, It Was Proof That The Times They Are A-Changin'. Four days after deputies arrested Moorpark resident Jenny Lipson on suspicion of growing a marijuana plant, O'Hanlon returned the plant and related paraphernalia. Lipson said the marijuana was grown mainly to treat constant migraine headaches and nausea. Lipson greeted O'Hanlon with a tearful smile and a hug. "In 20 years of law enforcement, I never thought I would be returning marijuana, but times are changing," O'Hanlon said as he left Lipson's home Tuesday. [continues 559 words]
