Southern Illinois sheriffs are voicing their apprehension regarding the Illinois Supreme Court's decision to abolish cash bail, anticipating a surge in crime and an increase in victims.

"Residents are deeply worried," Franklin County Sheriff Kyle Bacon shared with Fox News. "This feels like an experiment at the expense of crime victims. I harbor serious concerns, as do the people who reside here."

The Illinois Supreme Court's Tuesday ruling, effective September 18th, makes Illinois the first state to completely eliminate cash bail. Judges will no longer mandate cash bail for those accused of crimes unless they pose a demonstrable threat to public safety or are considered a flight risk.

Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Bullard believes law enforcement and legal professionals will bear the brunt of this change. "We apprehend and incarcerate suspects," Bullard explained to Fox News, "and then the state's attorney argues for their remand, but the judge, constrained by the SAFE-T Act, is compelled to release them." He added, "This will undoubtedly amplify victims' frustration, a sentiment we share."

This provision, part of the 2021 SAFE-T Act (Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today), was initially slated for January 1st implementation but was delayed due to an appeal by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul following a circuit judge's ruling deeming the pre-trial release and bail reforms unconstitutional. Sheriff Bacon noted, "We had prepared, but then everything paused. Now, law enforcement and prosecutors are scrambling again. It's disheartening."

The full ramifications of this shift remain to be seen, according to Sheriff Bacon, who anticipates ongoing challenges in addressing its flaws once implemented.

Both Franklin and Jefferson counties, located in southern Illinois, grapple with high rates of drug-related trespassing and burglaries. Sheriff Bacon expressed concerns about landowners with extensive properties and how law enforcement will handle these issues under the new law. He emphasized that while they're committed to serving crime victims, rural communities are particularly vulnerable under this legislation.

Sheriff Bullard believes the impact will be more pronounced in southern Illinois compared to metropolitan areas like Chicago, where such changes can be less noticeable.

While bail reform advocates argue that the current cash bail system disproportionately affects communities of color due to financial constraints, Sheriff Bullard contends that legislators and judges who championed the reform bear responsibility for any resulting increase in victims. "Any new victim—that's on the system," he stated. "That's on those who permitted this, disregarding the public safety risk."

Both sheriffs affirmed their commitment to serving their communities within the legal framework, but the long-term impact of this change on policing remains uncertain. Sheriff Bacon raised practical questions about the handling of existing warrants and incarcerated individuals with assigned cash bonds, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the implementation.

Sheriff Bullard acknowledged the potential for discouragement among law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and citizens when defendants' rights are prioritized over public safety. However, he urged perseverance, emphasizing their continued commitment to moving forward.