Leaders explore punishment for suspects who ‘revictimize' people

King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert has a plan to protect victims of tragedy. She posted her idea about a new state law on Facebook.

She is exploring the possibility of a state law that would add punishment for people convicted of victimizing someone who was already a victim of a crime.

"There will be a tragedy enhancement and you will serve longer time because you've chosen to do that when you knew that person was already in trauma," said Councilmember Lambert Monday afternoon. "I think we have really lost, as a society, a social contract, there's certain things that you knew no one would ever do to you."

KIRO-7 asked Lambert how the tragedy enhancement would work.

"It could be a flat amount of time or it could be saying to the judge 'you can go over the sentencing grid by 1-2 times,' whatever we decide it should be," explained Lambert.

Lambert said it could be the tragedy enhancement and "would allow a judge to give an enhanced penalty for anyone that was convicted of robbery during a tragedy such as a flood or fire or storm," wrote Lambert. "It makes me sick to think people during a tragedy are revictimized."

There were two fires in Seattle last month where fire victims were targeted by burglars. A burglar broke into an apartment building on Capitol Hill and stole belongings, even the identities of residents forced out by the flames. After a fire in Northgate, looters got in and stole belongings before residents were allowed back in to get important belongings.

Lambert mentioned the people forced to evacuate in Houston after Hurricane Harvey and the residents in our state forced out by the Jolly Mountain Fire near Cle Elum.  With fall weather on the way, flooding is a concern in the Snoqualmie Valley.

"People are looting where there are people who are in trauma, floods, fires, whatever it is, to have to worry. I'm leaving my home in a panic and then to think someone will come and take the things that are important to me," said Lambert.

Lambert says she already has a few lawmakers interested in crafting the legislation.

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