Recent public safety stories

Getting "tough on crime" never goes out of vogue at the Capitol.

In spite of the Georgia prison system's status as the fifth largest in the nation at an annual price tag of more than $1 billion, members of the General Assembly never seem to tire of finding new ways to incarcerate people. That's because voters, by and large, approve of such measures.

Last year, lawmakers passed sweeping legislation cracking down on where sex offenders can live and work. Expect that trend to continue this year.

Senate President Pro Tem Eric Johnson (R-Savannah) has already pre-filed a bill making it illegal for registered sex offenders to take a picture of a minor. Legislators might also continue to address the growing methamphetamine scourge, which is sending astonishing numbers of users, manufacturers and sellers to prison every year.

-- Carlos Campos