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Sarah Dallof reportingSo what do Utahns think of what's happening in Texas? An exclusive Dan Jones poll surveyed the range of thought.
The poll conducted today reveals that Utahns feel Texas authorities were justified in removing the children from the FLDS compound and that Utah authorities should do more to prosecute crime in polygamist communities here. For the average person, the raid was justified if children were in danger.
Matt Burdine says, "When kids are being hurt and forced into sex and marriage in their early teens, that isn't right."
According to the exclusive Dan Jones Poll for KSL TV and the Deseret Morning News, 62 percent of Utahns believe the raid was justified; 19 percent don't believe it was right. Forty-eight percent believe Utah authorities are not doing enough to prosecute crime in polygamist communities, while 37 percent believe they are doing enough.
When asked if polygamists should be prosecuted for practicing polygamy, even if there's no evidence of child abuse, 22 percent say definitely, 19 percent say probably, 24 percent say probably not, and 26 percent say definitely not.
Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says, "Whether you think we should or not, it can't be done." He says he's facing new criticism, alongside Arizona's Attorney General, that they haven't done enough to prosecute polygamists. He cites a lack of infrastructure -- things like room in prisons and foster care homes -- as one of the reasons Utah will not be following in Texas' footsteps.
"It's impossible; it's not practical; 416 is a lot, even for a big organization like Texas, but we have thousands here," Shurtleff said.
Shurtleff's office had planned to serve 80 warrants to members of the Kingston clan more than a year ago but backed off due, in part, to promises from Kingston attorneys that their clients would cooperate. Those promises fell through and many of the 80 fled.
Despite that instance, Shurtleff says allegations are handled individually. "We'll take them one case at a time, one victim at a time, one house, if you will, at a time."
Shurtleff says he's offered to help authorities in Texas by sharing information and experiences but has not been taken up on that offer, a fact that surprises him.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
