Vice President Harris, also known as Kamala Harris, spoke at a gathering in Michigan on Sunday, November 3rd, where she mentioned that she had already sent in her mail-in ballot. However, she declined to reveal whether she supports California’s Proposition 36. The proposition aims to increase criminal penalties for robbery and drug trafficking.
Proposition 36 in California is initiated by the Californians for Safer Communities and has garnered support from major U.S. retailers like Walmart and Target. It seeks to overturn some provisions of Proposition 47 passed in 2014, which aimed to reduce prison populations by reclassifying certain drug possession and theft crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.
During a media interview on Sunday, Harris chose not to answer whether she supports Proposition 36 and stated that it was not the right time to make such a statement.
“I’m not going to talk about voting on propositions. Because, frankly, it is the last Sunday before the election, and I don’t want to make any statements of support or opposition regarding this issue,” she said.
Before becoming Vice President, Harris served as a prosecutor in the San Francisco area and as California’s Attorney General before being elected as a U.S. Senator.
Proposition 36 would classify repeat shoplifting as a felony and also increase charges related to drug offenses, including those involving fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid. Judges would also have the authority to mandate treatment for individuals facing multiple drug-related charges.
The proposition has gained support from law enforcement agencies, the business community, and elected officials from both parties. They argue that it will help eliminate criminal loopholes in existing laws, enabling law enforcement to prosecute robbers and drug traffickers more effectively and enhance public safety.
However, some Democratic state leaders and advocacy groups opposed to Proposition 36 believe that it will disproportionately incarcerate poor and drug-addicted individuals instead of targeting organized crime groups. These criminal organizations are often involved in shoplifting and reselling stolen goods online for profit.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has repeatedly refused to repeal Proposition 47. He asserts that current California laws already provide sufficient resources for law enforcement and the judiciary to prosecute and sentence criminal offenders. Meanwhile, the state legislature has put forth new bills to strengthen efforts in combating and preventing retail theft and online reselling of stolen goods.
“Not all aspects of Proposition 47 are flawless,” Newsom mentioned earlier this year. “We want to address some of the ambiguities in the proposition, and we can solve these issues without needing significant modifications or resubmitting it to voters for a new vote.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed publicly endorsed Proposition 36 in this election to counter criticisms from her opponents accusing her of failing to curb the city’s crime rates.
In a statement, Breed said, “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act will make targeted changes to existing laws regarding fentanyl, and these changes will have a profound impact on the effectiveness of the law and relevant issues, helping address the long-standing theft problems that have been damaging retailers, workers, and the entire city. I fully support this bill and know it will have significant implications for cities across California.”
The handling of crime in California has become a focal point of discussion for candidates and voters in this election.
According to a study by the California Public Policy Institute, incidences of shoplifting have been on the rise in both San Francisco and Los Angeles from 2021 to 2022. During this period, the overall shoplifting rate in California has increased but remains below pre-COVID-19 levels. The study also notes a growing trend in commercial burglaries and robbery incidents in these cities and counties.
In conclusion, the debate over Proposition 36 and its potential impact on crime policy in California underscores the complex and contentious issues surrounding criminal justice and public safety in the state.