Due to the increasing frequency of crimes such as theft and vandalism in California, the need for law enforcement and justice reform seems imminent. Recently, several Democratic lawmakers have joined a bipartisan coalition in support of Proposition 36, which will appear on the ballot in the November election, aiming to impose strict penalties on thieves and drug traffickers.
Proposition 36 is a bipartisan ballot measure that has gained support from various sectors since its inception by private citizens. It has garnered endorsements from leaders of both parties, law enforcement and judicial institutions, community leaders, and thousands of businesses, including mayors of cities like San Diego, San Jose, and San Francisco. The measure has also received support from over 900,000 voters.
Last week, nine Democratic legislators from the California State Senate and Assembly declared their support for Proposition 36, including Senators Melissa Hurtado from the 16th District, Susan Rubio from the 22nd District, Josh Newman from the 29th District, Tom Umberg from the 34th District, and Assembly members Blanca Pacheco from the 64th District and James Ramos from the 45th District.
The focus of Proposition 36 has drawn attention as it primarily aims to amend certain provisions of California’s existing “Proposition 47.” The law under Proposition 47 downgraded some serious crimes such as drug possession, theft, shoplifting, and check forgery to misdemeanors, while also raising the threshold for felony theft charges from $450 to $950. Since then, there have been reports of increasing incidences of organized retail crime and theft throughout the state.
“We urgently need to reduce crime in our communities, and to address this issue at its root, Proposition 36 presents an important solution,” stated Senator Rubio. “We have heard the calls from California voters demanding to clean up the streets, prevent drug proliferation, and reduce crime rates.”
She continued, “As someone who has been a teacher for nearly 20 years, I believe students should walk to school on safer streets. It is time to address this pressing and worsening issue in California.” Rubio’s district covers Chinese high-density cities like Baldwin Park, El Monte, Pomona, Chino, and Ontario.
Senator Hurtado from the 16th District views this ballot measure as the correct way to bring California back on track. “We must take more measures to hold criminals accountable and protect communities from the rise in crime rates and drug proliferation.”
The ballot title of Proposition 36 reads “Allowing for felony charges and increased penalties for certain drug and theft crimes.” Its provisions include pressing felony charges against repeat offenders for crimes such as holding fentanyl or committing theft under $950 three times, which are currently only charged as misdemeanors; and lengthening the prison sentences of certain drug traffickers and thieves.
In the upcoming November election, a “Yes” vote on Proposition 36 signifies agreement to impose strict penalties on thieves and drug traffickers.
Meanwhile, amidst the shadow of “zero-dollar purchase” thefts, vandalism, and robberies, Governor Gavin Newsom of California signed a series of bills on August 16 to combat retail theft and property crimes. These bills include issuing criminal stay-away orders to individuals convicted of retail theft, prohibiting them from entering related retail stores, parking lots, franchises, or chain stores; allowing local prosecutors to join prosecution efforts across multiple counties for retail theft crimes; and increasing penalties for large-scale organized retail theft.
Translation by: TranslationAssistant