Nearly 6,000 inmates are predicted to head to LA County under the state's early release program, which began on January 25. (Photo: National Geographic Channel)

Only one week into California’s inmate early release program, our greatest fears are already being realized.

Despite assurances from state legislators that violent prisoners wouldn’t be getting out early, several glaring examples prove that this isn’t true.

A prime case in point from Sacramento County: It took a mere 12 hours for one inmate released under the program to be arrested on charges of attempted rape, sexual battery, false imprisonment and violating the terms of his probation.

Commenting on the case, Kevin Mickelson, president of the Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff's Association, echoed what we have been warning for months: "The state Legislature has duped the citizens of California into believing they've released only nonviolent offenders back into the communities.”

Neighborhoods and communities throughout California are less safe today because of this irresponsible early release program. As if that weren’t bad enough, the highest percentage of the released inmates (almost 6,000) are coming to Los Angeles County!

We cannot imagine a worse time for our local officials to float the idea of police layoffs as a means of solving the city budget crisis. Maintaining our public safety resources is the only way to prevent worsening this severe recession and to put our city on the road to economic recovery.