Gov. Gavin Newsom said he empathizes with business owners and other residents who are angry about the robberies of California stores. One of his wine shops in San Francisco was robbed at least three times in 2021.
But the problem won't go away, Newsom said, by changing Prop. 47, a decade-old law that voters approved changing some felonies to misdemeanors (items valued at less than $950). (including theft) and some blamed it for the rise in crime. theft. Instead, he wants to tackle retail theft by enacting legislation to crack down on what he calls “professional thieves.”
“It can be done without reform.” [Proposition 47] And it goes back to voters,” Newsom said Wednesday as he presented his annual budget proposal, which includes $374 million to fight retail theft. “I want people to know that this is unacceptable. The public needs to be held accountable. There is nothing right about this.”
As reporters asked Newsom about Proposition 47, he turned to a screen next to him on stage and began playing an animated bar graph outlining each state's threshold for felony theft. Most were higher than California's $950.
“At the end of the day, Texas, you have to steal more than $2,500 before it becomes a felony,” Newsom said.
While other states have higher thresholds, critics of Prop. 47 argue that Texas is actually prosecuting repeat offenders who commit multiple thefts. In California, critics say the state does not hold repeat offenders accountable.
The Democratic governor's comments come as some members of his party have expressed interest in changing Proposition 47 to address these complaints.
“I'm calling for new legislation to expand criminal penalties for those who profit from retail theft and auto burglary,” he said. Presentation proposing six methods Congress can crack down on theft. “These laws will make California safer and strengthen police and prosecutorial tools to catch professional criminals and hold them accountable.”
He proposed ideas such as compiling the amounts stolen and creating penalties for people who resell stolen goods or break into cars.
Several efforts are already underway to combat these crimes.
Legislation by Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley). It was implemented last year Some have expressed the need to address loopholes in the law, which places restrictions on online marketplaces where stolen goods are believed to be sold.
And last year, the Newsom administration sent more than $267 million to 55 cities and counties across California to increase arrests and prosecutions of organized retail crime. biggest expense Relating to retail theft in state history.
Although state lawmakers praised Newsom's proposals, the prospects for these ideas becoming law this year remain uncertain.
“The governor has laid out some parameters and we applaud that,” Assembly Public Safety Chairman Kevin McCarty (D-Bakersfield) told the Times. “We're still very open. We have a lot of different opinions in our caucus, so we're not going to take anything off the table and there's no guarantee that anything will be on the table.”
McCarty and Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) introduced a bill last week to address retail theft in California, but it's just an empty replacement for a bill that hasn't been written yet. There wasn't. McCarty said he needs time until March to come up with the bill's language.
“It will take weeks to months to resolve this issue. I think he has expressed his thoughts and we have thoughts as well, so it's early in the process.” he said. “If I could carve a path forward without touching anyone.” [Proposition] 47, let's take a look at it. But that's not to say that's a foregone conclusion. ”
But McCarty said that even if the Legislature decides to put the issue before voters as a statewide ballot measure, it would “barely address some of the shortcomings” rather than repeal it. Stated.
McCarty said he agrees with the state's efforts to give “second chances” to people who have served time in county or state prisons, adding that he is open to legislation that focuses on diversion and drug treatment programs. Ta.
Newly installed House Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) appointed The Select Committee on Retail Theft had already hosted the first of several scheduled hearings last month.
said Rachel Michelin, president of the California Retailers Association. Speaking on behalf of the state's retailers, he said in the past the Public Safety Commission “didn't pay as much attention” to the issue as it does now.
“The tide has now turned under the new leadership of Chairman Rivas who has made this a priority,” she said.
One of Michelin's hopes is for legislation to “actually do something”, especially for repeat offenders. And if that means a new ballot measure to change Proposition 47, she supports it. She has until June 27th at the latest to submit anything that will be on the ballot. Constitutional deadline requirements.
“If we want to show that we're making a difference, and people want to feel like they have a voice, they're going to want to be able to vote for themselves,” she said. Told.
