On August 9th, a 7-11 convenience store in Los Angeles was robbed by a flash mob of 50 people, who brazenly took items from the store and attacked the clerks. The same store was targeted again by a group of dozens of individuals last month, resulting in significant losses. This is just one example of a series of robberies targeting businesses in California.
The owner of the robbed 7-11 franchise, Jawad Ursani, spoke to reporters during a press conference on Thursday, urging support for Proposition 36 to crack down on criminals and combat retail theft. Ursani emphasized that not only are their businesses impacted by these incidents but also the safety of the community is at risk, making people feel uneasy while shopping.
Representatives from the leading convenience retail brand, 7-11, along with local franchisees, law enforcement officials, and several local authorities, gathered to advocate for a “Yes” vote on Proposition 36. The company also donated $1 million to support the ballot measure.
Proposition 36, also known as the “Reduce Homelessness, Addiction, and Theft Act,” aims to repeal the 2014 voter-approved Proposition 47, increasing penalties for certain drug and theft offenses. It is one of the ballot measures to be voted on in the upcoming election in November.
During the pandemic, the phenomenon of “zero-cost shopping” has become prevalent in California, where many individuals are resorting to theft in major stores. Offenders are often quickly released if caught by the police as long as the stolen amount does not exceed $950. As the pandemic progressed, large-scale flash mob robberies have become frequent, with groups of thieves targeting high-end stores even during the daytime.
Businesses and the public attribute these incidents to some lenient policies towards criminals in California. Measures like Proposition 47 categorize serious offenses such as possession of drugs, theft, shoplifting, and check forgery as misdemeanors, while increasing the threshold for felony theft charges from $450 to $950. The upcoming Proposition 36 is seen as a potential reversal of these policies.
Ursani expressed concerns over the impact of the repeated large-scale robberies on the local community. He emphasized that the losses incurred are not just financial but have a detrimental effect on their overall operations. Rebuilding the business and restoring a sense of security for customers and employees will take a considerable amount of time.
Having purchased the store in 2000 in what he described as a good community, Ursani witnessed a rise in crime rates in recent years due to the introduction of certain laws. He stressed the community’s need for Proposition 36 to curb the rampant criminal activities and ensure accountability for repeat offenders to collaborate with law enforcement or elected officials for a safer community.
Key points of Proposition 36 include requiring substance abusers to complete rehabilitation programs upon arrest, increasing penalties for fentanyl traffickers, and treating repeat theft offenders with a felony charge upon third arrest, regardless of the amount involved.
In the November election, a “Yes” vote for Proposition 36 signifies support for harsher penalties against theft offenders and drug traffickers, while a “No” vote indicates disagreement.
Sukhi Sandhu, the chairman of the Alliance of Independent 7-11 Franchisees Association, emphasized the importance of Proposition 36 for every Californian. Retail theft not only affects businesses but also impacts the safety of the entire community, where families want a secure environment to raise their children.
However, some members of the Los Angeles County Board have voiced opposition, citing concerns that if the ballot measure passes, it could result in an increase in the prison population and court costs, further straining the government’s budget.
Despite the opposition from some officials, including the Governor of California and certain board members, most voters believe that improving public safety is a top priority amid the surge in theft and property crime rates across the state.
According to a recent poll released by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) on September 19th, approximately 71% of eligible California voters support Proposition 36, advocating for the repeal or amendment of Proposition 47.