Local Law Enforcement Endorses Early Childhood Education Spending

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Kelli Sutterman

Story Created: Apr 12, 2011 at 5:42 PM CDT

Story Updated: Apr 12, 2011 at 7:34 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Early childhood education may not seem to have a lot in common with fighting crime. But both police and prosecutors agree there’s evidence to show a years-later connection.

A national organization called “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids” has lined up more than 5,000 police chiefs, sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel around the country to support their cause. They believe putting more money into early childhood programs for the youngest kids now will mean fewer adults in legal trouble years later. And top law enforcement officers in the Cedar Rapids area appeared at a news conference Tuesday to endorse that message.

Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner, Cedar Rapids Police Chief Greg Graham and Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden spent part of the morning visiting kids at the Linn County Child Development Center.

Prosecutor Vander Sanden said he believes there is evidence that helping the youngest learners now pays dividends in the future.

“When you look at the costs of early preschool education, compare that cost to what we spend on prisons and corrections. There is no comparison, “ Vander Sanden said.

Iowa spent $329-million in fiscal year 2010 to keep approximately 8,500 people in state and federal custody. That’s several times what the state currently spends on early childhood education programs. The national Invest in Kids group touts statistics to show the benefits of shifting money into early childhood.

One Michigan study the group uses found kids left out of high quality early education programs were five times more likely to be chronic criminal offenders by age 27.

Iowa lawmakers are currently debating a voucher system to replace universal preschool funding in the state. Ted Eismeier, one leader of the national group, said how to structure a preschool program is a political decision best left up to politicians. But he said his group would consider any reduction in overall funding as a step backwards for Iowa.

“We would not endorse any proposal that would take away funding for the most at-risk kids or reduce quality for Iowa’s statewide preschool program,” Eismeier said.

The Invest in Kids group has come to eastern Iowa before to highlight the benefits of more funding for early childhood education. Eismeier said with the current preschool debate at the statehouse, he hopes an endorsement of the concept by local law enforcement is something lawmakers will consider.

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