NASHVILLE — Alarmed that Tennessee lawmakers may move to curb police agencies’ ability to self-fund through seizures of cash and vehicles without actual criminal convictions, law enforcement sought to paint the loss of money in the starkest of terms on Monday.
“If you do want to make a difference for our communities, take away criminal-proceeds forfeiture funding,” said a sarcastic Steve Jones, who is assistant prosecutor with the West Tennessee Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. “You’ll make a huge difference. It just won’t be a positive difference.
“The criminals will thank you,” he added.
That didn’t sit well with Sen. Mike Bell, R-Riceville, who in the past has seen big problems with the Cleveland-based 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force.
“It’s almost like you were trying to set up that you’re either for us or you’re for the criminals,” Bell shot back.