Crawford County judges, prosecutors say thanks for rejecting Issue 1

We would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the citizens of Crawford County for voting “No” on State Issue 1.

Statewide Issue 1 was defeated by approximately a 2-to-1 margin. In Crawford County, however, Issue 1 was defeated by a margin of 82 percent to 18 percent. Clearly, the voters of Crawford County took the time to educate themselves on this issue and realized that it would be counterproductive to our recent success in winning the war on drugs and crime.

Over the last few years, Crawford County has seen unprecedented success in reducing our crime rate.

From 2014 to 2017, overall crime has been reduced approximately 50 percent. Serious crimes such as burglaries, robberies and break-ins have been reduced by nearly 60 percent. Obviously, local law enforcement has played a major role in reducing crime. Prosecutors, law directors, and judges have also done their part in reducing crime and making Crawford County a safer place to live.

There is no question that Issue 1 would have undermined the success that Crawford County has enjoyed. We have no doubt that crime rates would have risen and drug usage would have increased. Simply put, Crawford County would become a much more dangerous place.

Thankfully, you, the citizens of Crawford County, refused to take a step backward and allow Issue 1 to destroy our recent success. Thanks to you, our criminal justice system still has the tools necessary to keep Crawford County a safer, better place to live.

Once again, thank you for the support you have shown to our local criminal justice system.

Sean E. Leuthold

Crawford County Common Pleas Court Judge

Matthew Crall

Crawford County Prosecutor

Shane M. Leuthold

Crawford County Municipal Court Judge