"Some people think they are not going to prison, how wrong they are. We elected Maggie Fleming"

"Many people want to blame Prop 47 for an increase in crime, too early to do that," said Chief Andy Mills to attendees of the Humboldt Republican Women luncheon at the Elks today. "We can't completely do that. These crimes don't make the front page. Increase in crimes started two months before but Prop 47 has aggravated the situation. Some think they are not going to prison, how wrong they are. We elected Maggie Fleming."

"I like Paul as a person but the change is substantial." Chief Mills gave an example of a man who had been arrested twice in a row for robbery and "Maggie said no deal. He got 6 years in prison."

Chief Mills spoke in his usual off the cuff manner. He spoke about the recent promotions, homelessness, gave facts about the shopping cart and bicycle ordinance and his critics. He also gave statistics on crime.

Chief Mills explained the efforts of the MIST team that is a multi-agency effort to reduce homelessness.

Chief Mills gave an example of the lady who would sit out on a bench on 4th and E in Eureka and would refuse help. She would be out there in rain and freezing cold. MIST helped her get into housing. Although, she is back during the day, she is no longer homeless.

He said the homeless population can be broken into the following categories: "trimmigrants", "seriously mentally ill" population, those who engage in "substance abuse and drugs" and the "criminal predators". The latter he said are not those who steal shopping carts but someone like the man they arrrested in the Marsh that "was involved in 3 shootings" and "had four guns in his tent."

"Last year, we had 300 calls with weapons involved," said Chief Mills. "Last year, we took 125 guns off people." In his entire career in law enforcement, even when he was in San Diego,  he has not seen so many guns. Chief Mills said 'property crime is up". Citing a private group that gave funds to carpet the office, Chief Mills said he is not a proponent of public funds being used for something like that but the carpets now make a safe environment for his employees citing "falls" as a safety issue. This is one way, he said the community can help, others are to volunteer for the EPD with skills. The Police Chief Advisory Board that he suggested to the Eureka City Council is another way.

Before he got into the nitty gritty of crime and statistics, Chief Mills opened his speech by mentioning a plaque given to him by a friend. It had the word "Peace and Prosperity." He asked the audience if anyone could tell him where that came from and then told us that it was from Jeremiah 29:7 "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper."

"if other people prosper, it pulls all of us up," said Chief Mills. "It is not a conservative or liberal principle, it is common sense. Eureka is headed in the right direction. It may take a while but we will get there."