Limbaugh speaks on workload of prosecuting attorney, crime rate

The Cape County Republican Women's Club's monthly meeting Friday featured Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Limbaugh, who spoke about his first months in office and why he decided to take on the role.

Limbaugh also answered questions from the audience about crime in the area and the caseload of the prosecutor's office.

The meeting was at Dexter Bar-B-Que and about 50 local Republicans and county officeholders attended.

Limbaugh, 28, was appointed to the office in late December by Gov. Jay Nixon after the decision of longtime Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle to take a job as a prosecutor in the U.S. attorney's office. Limbaugh's father, Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., and grandfather, Stephen N. Limbaugh, served as the county's prosecutors before moving on to serve as judges at the federal level.

He was asked why he chose to accept the job.

"I really care about this community, I'm from here and I've seen other members of my family hold the position," Limbaugh said. "I've seen the experience and knowledge it's given them, and the opportunity it's given them to serve their community well."

Limbaugh told the audience he has seen how prosecutors are essentially on-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and there is no routine day in the office.

He also described Cape Girardeau as a safe community and praised the work of citizens who report crime and law enforcement. He said he has filed more than 100 cases as prosecutor since he began and his assistant prosecutors are handling hundreds of cases at any time. An average length of time to resolve misdemeanor cases in the office is about one month, while felony cases usually are resolved in three to four months, Limbaugh said.

The audience asked several questions about the frequency of crimes related to Isle Casino Cape Girardeau, illegal immigrants and drugs.

"There are crimes that are committed at the casino, however, I would not suggest that there has been a massive influx of crimes," Limbaugh said. "There really hasn't been any bump in crime as a result of the casino. I know that was an original concern when it came to town, but as of right now we haven't received any flood of criminal activity because of the casino's presence."

He also said the area has not experienced any change in the number of crimes committed by illegal immigrants, but said his office does see those cases come in from time to time.

As for drugs, Limbaugh said the area likely will always be a main traffic area for drugs, but he believes local law enforcement has a good handle on the issue.

eragan@semissourian.com

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