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A new law became effective March 27 that repeals the ability of judges to force a defendant or make a contribution to a crime-prevention organization as an alternative to sentencing or judgment.
In a letter to municipal court judges, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin stated, “Although the organizations that receive the funds are often valuable to the community, this funding mechanism creates the potential for inappropriate prosecutorial charging decisions, the appearance of fundraising or favoritism by the judges and a general perception by the public that favorable outcomes in criminal cases can be bought by defendants who can afford them.”
According to Pam Sharp, administrative manager for the Onalaska Police Department, the forfeitures paid to DARE in Onalaska were a significant part of the revenue sources. In addition to those funds, the city has community fundraisers and applies for grants as other sources of revenue.
“Right now, because of (the new law), we won’t get those contributions,” Sharp said. “It has the potential to be a major blow to the program. We’ll have to be creative and put alternative proposals before the finance committee and city council.”
The La Crosse Police Department’s DARE program has never received money from defendants in La Crosse Municipal Court, said Capt. Rob Abraham. The program is funded through public donations, money raised from fundraisers and grants money, with the exception of the DARE officer’s wage, which is funded through the municipal budget.
The DARE program for municipalities outside Onalaska and La Crosse — such as West Salem, Bangor and Holmen — are operated through the La Crosse County Sheriff ’s Department.
Sheriff’s Capt. Mike Horstmann said the circuit courts had stopped the contributions around 2004-05, so there was minimal impact on the countywide program from the new law.
The DARE program with the county is financed through taxpayer dollars allocated to the sheriff’s department’s budget.
The only DARE expense paid through the county budget is the salary of one DARE officer. Horstmann said supplies are minimal. Funds needed for textbooks and other materials are obtained through major fundraisers such as the annual GREAT/DARE Chili Cook-off.
La Crosse Tribune reporter Anne Jungen contributed to this report.
