Independent gubernatorial candidate Anthony Pollina Wednesday called for more funding for law enforcement and prevention efforts to decrease sexual abuse and domestic assaults.

In a statement released Wednesday, Pollina blasted Gov. Jim Douglas (R) for his administration's law enforcement policies and said Vermont needs to get ahead of sex crimes before they occur.

"We should be doing more than talking about what we do after the crime is committed. We should be talking about how we will prevent the next crime from happening. It is not just about transferring state police from one job to another; it is about fully funding state police, States attorneys, the defender general, and other agencies involved," Pollina said. "Unfortunately, the Governor just wants to save money. I want to save our kids. We need to find a balance, but some things are too important to scrimp on."

Democratic candidate Gaye Symington proposed her own set of reforms on the issue earlier Wednesday, and Douglas has called for harsher prison terms for those convicted of committing sex crimes against children.

The discussion has become a central issue of the campaign after a man — Michael Jacques — was charged with kidnapping his 12-year-old niece last month. The girl — Brooke Bennett of Braintree — was found dead on July 2. Jacques is a convicted sex offender who was released early from his probation.