California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom claimed during Wednesday's meeting that he got into an altercation with a Target employee after witnessing a suspected shoplifter, and that state policy does not allow for an admission of theft before asking for a manager. This was revealed in a video posted by Gabriel Lorenz Grechler on Twitter. It was broadcast by Mercury News.
A Zoom call meeting, apparently about mental health proposals, was recorded and posted to X (formerly known as Twitter), where Newsom appeared to discuss a recent encounter at Target. It's unclear what prompted California's governor to discuss the issue, but Newsom claimed he was at a Target store when he saw a suspected shoplifter leave. (Related article: 'We won't survive': Crime-prone California small businesses lose hundreds of thousands of dollars to theft)
The governor argued that he had argued with staff members who criticized his policies and was confused as to why they did not stop the theft charges. After an employee allegedly said the crime was tolerated because the governor had “lowered standards,” Newsom doubled down, claiming California had the “10th toughest” shoplifting policy in the nation. did.
“Doctor, you dropped this and he came back and picked it up and walked out.'' As we were checking out, the woman said, “Oh, he just left.'' I just went and he didn't pay for it.'' I said, “Then why don't you stop him?'' And she said, “Oh, Governor'' — I swear to God, this is a true story. On her mother's grave – “The governor lowered the threshold, there's no such thing, there's no accountability,” Newsom said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said on a Zoom call about mental health proposals that he went to Target and saw someone leave without paying.
He asked the workers why the man would steal, but they blamed the governor before looking at him twice and recognizing him.
“I was like, why me?” pic.twitter.com/zpLFtNwiSZ
— Gabriel Lorenzo Greschler (@ggreschler) January 31, 2024
“I said, 'That's not true.' I said, 'I have $950, the 10th toughest in America. The 10th toughest in America.' She said, 'That's not true.' I didn't even know what it was. By the way, it's the 10th toughest in America. Look it up. Nobody cares about that.”
Newsom allegedly continued to attack the employee until the woman claimed to recognize him, forcing her to ask for a photo with the California governor. Newsom questioned why she was paying “$380” at the store when she could “just leave” like “everyone else.”(Related article: 'Enough is enough': Retailers support California's effort to increase penalties for property crimes)
“And I said, 'That's not true. We're still stopping them.'” She said, “Well, we're not stopping them. [of] Governor. 'And then she leaves—she looks at me twice, and then she freaks out. She wanted everyone to take a picture of her, she said. I'm like, “No, I'm not taking pictures.” Conversation in progress. where is your manager? How can you blame the governor? ” Then it went to $380, and I wondered why she would spend $380. Can everyone go outside now? ” Newsom questioned.
California's Proposition 47, approved by voters in 2014, reclassified some nonviolent crimes, including shoplifting under $950 and grand larceny, as misdemeanors rather than being charged as felonies. according to To Magnus Lofström, Director of Policy, Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC). Shoplifting in Blue states increased 29% from 2021 to 2022, which is 8% below pre-pandemic levels and a 15% increase compared to the year Proposition 47 was passed, Lofstrom added.
According to PPIC, economist Magnus Lofström said, “Retail theft's It is important not to limit the analysis to shoplifting.” “Under Proposition 47, shoplifting is defined as theft of less than $950 and is a misdemeanor. Theft from a high-value retail store constitutes second-degree theft (which can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony). may be recorded in the crime data as a commercial robbery.”
Lofstrom said PPIC data shows California saw a 16% increase in commercial theft from 2019 to 2022, 15% higher than the rate from 2014, and retailers are pushing for higher penalties for property crimes. It is said that he is starting to make a statement. Following the onslaught of crime, Target has closed three stores in California's Bay Area due to “theft and organized retail crime” that allegedly threatened the “safety” of its team and customers, one company said. . press release.
California lawmakers also asked for support for a new bill, AB1772, which would require a prison sentence for a third-degree theft conviction. according to Go to ABC7. According to the report, penalties under the bill would range from one to three years, depending on the nature of the offense.
