District attorney ignores minor crimes

Residents of Eugene in Lane County had better keep a sharp eye on their cars and wallets in future following a decision by the district attorney that petty theft, car break-ins, credit card fraud and other misdemeanor crimes will no longer will be prosecuted. Doug Harcleroad has decided there is not enough money in the budget to justify the cost. Instead the focus will be on violent crimes, domestic violence, felony property crimes and drug dealing. Because 150 new criminal cases are being filed each week, this was the only way that he could afford to operate.

"I don't like this either," Harcleroad said Tuesday. "Currently, we have only 21 lawyers in the criminal division, which is the lowest number we have had in 20 years. We're having to make tough decisions about what are the most important things to do."

But Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent Mortimore said some of the increase is driven by criminals who are released from jail because of overcrowding and who continue to commit new crimes after release.

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