A statewide initiative aimed at overturning the passing of Proposition 47 in November 2014, which has likely gathered enough signatures to appear on the ballot in the November elections, is making headlines in California.
Proposition 47 reduced certain property crimes such as shoplifting and check forgery, as well as nonviolent crimes like drug possession, from felonies to misdemeanors, significantly decreasing the number of inmates in California prisons. However, it also led to a surge in thefts as the proposition stipulates that individuals will not go to jail as long as the value of stolen goods in each offense does not exceed $950.
The new initiative, named “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” would allow for felony charges against habitual offenders of drug abuse and theft, making it easier for prosecutors to bring murder charges against fentanyl dealers.
Supporters of the initiative state that they do not wish for California to revert back to a time of mass incarceration, emphasizing that the proposal targets repeat offenders.
According to the Washington Examiner, Matt Mahan, the Democratic mayor of San Jose who supports the new proposal, expressed to Politico, “We are seeing more drug overdose deaths and a growing homeless crisis… Many small business owners feel frustrated as they continue to be victims of crime with no recourse.”
Opponents of the repeal of Proposition 47, who seek to maintain the current status quo, argue that California’s crime rate is at a historic low and raise concerns that linking an increase in homelessness with a rise in crime rates is misleading.
Governor Gavin Newsom has never supported the repeal of Proposition 47 but instead aims to introduce other legislation to curb crimes such as theft. Newsom and California lawmakers are working on their own bills to combat drug abuse and habitual theft.
Rachel Michelin, the president of the California Retailers Association, stated to the media, “In recent years, when we tried to take action legislatively, we hit a wall. Now the environment for communication is completely different. Previously, no one wanted to bring up legislation related to retail theft, and now almost every bill is related to retail theft.”
Michelin emphasized that they and the prosecutor in charge of the new initiative will stand firm unless California lawmakers present a comprehensive reform proposal, otherwise they will put this initiative in the hands of the voters.