Survivors of Hurricane Katrina fled to many different states in the aftermath of the storm. Many have begun rebuilding their lives in those states and have no immediate plans to return to Louisiana. However, one group of Katrina refugees has worn out its welcome in at least one state. Texas wants paroled Louisiana felons to go home sooner, rather than later.
Texas authorities are urging Louisiana to issue arrest warrants for hundreds of felons who are suspected of violating conditions of their probation or parole by remaining in Texas nearly a year after fleeing Hurricane Katrina.
The Texas attorney general's office, saying the issue is a threat to public safety, has sent Louisiana the names of more than 1,700 felons who either have failed to keep in touch with Louisiana officials or who have ignored court orders to return to Louisiana. Among the offenders are 104 who represent a particular risk to the public, says Angela Hale, spokeswoman for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.
Hale would not say how many of the felons are freed killers, but a recent audit of the list by Texas law enforcement officials indicated that 69 of the felons are sex offenders and that 28 of those are believed to be living in the Houston area. Felonies are the most serious crimes, ranging in Louisiana from theft or assault to murder punishable by time in state prison.
"These are people who have already been to prison," Hale says. "They need to be monitored. The protection of the public is an issue."
0 comments:
Post a Comment