PennDems Want YOU

Still in the election spirit? Well, you don't have to wait until 2010 to cast another ballot. Elections for the Philadelphia District Attorney are on May 19, and the Penn Democrats are already gearing up. Tonight, PennDems are meeting to elect a candidate to endorse. Check them out at 7 P.M. in 370 Huntsman and, after the jump, check out the platforms of the five candidates (thanks, PennDems website!)

The candidates and the platforms are... (drumroll please)

Brian Grady: stopping witness intimidation; targeting drug dealers for punishment while treating users; coordinating and sharing information; targeting violent offenders on probation and parole while deemphasizing nonviolent and petty offenders; reducing juvenile crime.

Dan McCaffery: anti-gun and narcotics task force using Pennsylvania’s RICO law; municipal corruption strike force; intensive monitoring of juvenile probationers; diverting drug, alcohol, and mentally ill offenders away from criminal punishment toward alternative sentences; and focus on prosecuting repeat offenders.

Dan McElhatton: Gun control and targeting gun violence; community partnerships; specialized public corruption, fraud, and economic crimes units; victim-witness services; victim notification of sentences; technology upgrade.

Michael Turner: zero tolerance of public corruption; aggressive gun enforcement and control; community relations; victim-witness services and combatting witness intimidation; cutting staff and reducing imprisonment of nonviolent offenders; restorative / community justice; gun-free schools zone; tracking repeat violent offenders; truancy prevention and intervention; quality of life crimes; helping elderly victims; special outreach and services for hate crimes and domestic violence.

Seth Williams: community-based prosecution