In Los Angeles, 78-year-old resident Lorinda Zhou is on a mission to change the security situation in California. She firmly believes that no one wants to be a victim of theft or robbery. With this belief in mind, she has been going door-to-door to collect more signatures from neighbors in order to change the alarming crime rates in California.
In 2014, California passed the controversial “Proposition 47.” This law, known as the “Non-serious Crimes Act under $950,” has caused a surge in crime activities all over the state, leading to significant losses and harm to communities.
Frustrated by the deteriorating situation, concerned citizens took action. Last Thursday, the Californians for Safer Communities Coalition announced that they had collected over 900,000 signatures for the initiative called “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” aiming to amend Proposition 47.
The next step is for the election office to verify these signatures. If they can secure 546,651 valid voter signatures, the initiative will be on the November ballot in California for a statewide vote.
Behind the success of gathering over 900,000 signatures within the allotted time frame, there have been numerous volunteers working tirelessly throughout the state, and Lorinda Zhou is one of them. She has witnessed firsthand the impact of crimes happening in communities that are not always adequately reflected in the news.
During an interview with Epoch Times on the 22nd, Zhou explained how she initially got involved through a friend and felt obligated to inform more people about the initiative. She mentioned the urgency felt by many to abolish Proposition 47, as incidents of theft and robbery were frequent in the community.
Zhou detailed her efforts in gathering signatures, utilizing various methods such as visiting churches, temples, and knocking on neighbors’ doors. She realized that many of her neighbors had fallen victim to crimes enabled by Proposition 47.
The initiative advocates for three key points: making any theft offense punishable as a felony after three arrests, regardless of the amount stolen; strengthening penalties for drug traffickers, especially those selling fentanyl, to curb drug addiction and homelessness; and making it mandatory for individuals caught with opioids or cocaine to undergo rehab or face felony charges.
Zhou, who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, expressed sorrow over the decline in public safety in California compared to the past. With the passage of Proposition 47, there has been a worsening security situation, leaving communities in fear and uncertainty.
She emphasized the importance of voting attentively, especially concerning matters that affect public safety and the well-being of future generations. Zhou urged voters to be cautious and ensure they make the right choice at the ballot box, as this critical vote could determine the safety and security of lives and properties.