To the Editor:

As someone who has sworn to uphold and preserve the U.S. Constitution, the Ohio Constitution and protect the citizens of Ohio, I take that duty seriously and work every day to make the lives of my constituents safer and more secure. Unfortunately, exposure to crime increased with the recent Ohio Supreme Court decision DuBose v. McGuffey, where the court decided that Ohio trial courts may not consider public safety in setting the amount for bail.

Without judges being able to take into consideration of public safety in setting bail, I am very fearful that dangerous and violent criminals may be released back into Ohio communities and neighborhoods.

Issue 1 will enhance the safety of all Ohio communities by giving judges the clear and unambiguous right to apply public safety as one of the criteria for setting bail. It would not, as some critics have alleged, undercut the presumption of innocence that every citizen expects and deserves from our judicial system.

That’s why I am endorsing a yes vote on Issue 1 on the Nov. 8 ballot and publicly encouraging Ohioans to support passage of Issue 1. I ask others to join me and so many other leaders in enhancing and preserving the safety and security of all Ohio communities. Thank you for your consideration.

Mark Wasylyshyn

Wood County sheriff