The California Community Safety Alliance held press conferences across the state on April 18th to announce that they had collected over 900,000 voter signatures to ensure that Proposition 47, the “Reduce Homelessness, Drug Abuse, and Theft Act,” will be on the ballot in November. Small business owners, victims of fentanyl, community organizations, and elected officials gathered in San Francisco’s Market Street to make the announcement.
In order for the “Reduce Homelessness, Drug Abuse, and Theft Act” (Initiative 23-0017A1) to qualify for the November ballot, state law requires 546,651 valid signatures. Proposition 47, passed in 2014, has been a source of controversy as it reduced drug possession to a misdemeanor and raised the felony threshold for shoplifting, theft, and other property crimes from $400 to $950, allowing for re-sentencing of those previously convicted.
Noel Gallo, Oakland City Councilmember and Chair of the Public Safety Committee, shared his personal experiences at the press conference, emphasizing the importance of public safety and expressing concern for the safety of his own family members who are now afraid to leave their homes. The issue extends beyond Oakland and San Francisco, impacting the entire state of California, and unity and support for the new initiative are crucial to ensure a safe environment for children and families.
Li Shaomin, External Director of the Amend Prop 47 Campaign and Chair of the Equal Justice Association, acknowledged the collective effort, particularly from the Chinese community, in gathering the necessary signatures. He urged continued support for the initiative to “Amend Prop 47” and encouraged voters to vote in favor of the “Reduce Homelessness, Drug Abuse, and Theft Act” in November.
Dana Ogden and her husband Jerry, representing the “Drug Induced Homicide” organization, attended the press conference to share their tragic story. Their son, Austin Ogden, passed away at the age of 27 in June 2021 after accidentally consuming fentanyl-laced recreational drugs. They highlighted the alarming rate of young people between 18 and 35 years old losing their lives to fentanyl on a weekly basis.
Addressing the importance of amending Proposition 47 to not only punish drug dealers but also prevent further tragedies and save lives, the community leaders stressed the need for widespread support for the “Reduce Homelessness, Drug Abuse, and Theft Act.”
Carlos Solorzano-Cuadra, Chairman of the San Francisco Hispanic Chamber, emphasized the economic and societal impact of theft crimes on small businesses and community cohesion. He called on Californians, especially the Hispanic community and small business owners, to rally behind the initiative to safeguard the future of small businesses and restore a sense of security within communities.
Community activist Lei Qianhong pointed out the harmful effects of Proposition 47 on communities over the past decade and stressed the importance of amending it to prevent further deterioration. With enough signatures gathered for the new initiative, she urged voters to support the amendment to Proposition 47 in the November elections.
It is clear that the community is coming together to address the issues caused by Proposition 47 and advocate for a safer environment for all Californians. The upcoming November elections will be a crucial moment to determine the path forward for public safety and community well-being.