California crime reform gets ‘unheard of’ support from DAs, small businesses, progressive mayors

A Measure to Reform California’s Crime Referendum

A measure to reform California’s crime referendum that downgrades penalties for petty theft and drug possession will be on the ballot in November after garnering an “unheard of” number of signatures. 

Background

The 2014 law in question, Proposition 47, reclassified several felonies, including retail and property theft, as misdemeanors. 

Under Prop 47, petty theft of goods valued under $950 is classified as a misdemeanor, even for multiple offenses. It also took a broad swath of narcotics possession offenses that were previously felonies and converted them to misdemeanors.

The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act

But a ballot initiative to amend Prop 47, called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, secured over 900,000 citizen signatures required to put the measure to an official vote in November, far surpassing the roughly 500,000 required signatures.

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Support for the Initiative

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho, who supported the effort, said in an interview with Fox News Digital that some Golden State residents waited hours in line to sign the petition. 

“That’s how, that’s how popular it is. That’s the sentiment of people, and it’s across all spectrums,” Ho said.

“It cuts across party lines and cuts across racial lines, social and economic lines. It’s small businesses, big businesses, everyday people” who are “very passionate” about seeing reforms, he added.

Concerns and Consequences

Prop 47, enacted in 2014, was an effort to reduce incarcerations. One of the mechanisms for making any changes is that it can’t be done through legislation, only through the people’s direct vote. 

“We needed about almost 500,000 signatures in order to get it on the ballot. Instead, we ended up collecting orders and turning over 900,000 signatures. That is unheard of,” Ho said. 

The DA said that while he is in favor of the “spirit” behind Prop 47, the law needs to be changed to stem its “unintended consequences,” which he identified as a “fentanyl crisis,” a “retail theft crisis” and a “homeless crisis.” 

Ho noted a big-box retailer in Sacramento told him that the region ranks No. 1 in theft for the company, and that one of their stores in the area saw a 253% increase in theft between 2022 and 2023. 

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Reforms to Prop 47

If passed, reforms to Prop 47 would classify repeated theft as a felony for individuals who steal less than $950 if they have two or more prior theft-related convictions.

It would also allow stolen property values from multiple thefts to be combined, so repeat offenders can be charged with a felony if the total exceeds $950.

It authorizes judges to impose an enhanced penalty when an offender steals, damages or destroys property by participating in organized theft with two or more offenders or by causing losses of $50,000 or more. 

The initiative would also enact a new class of crime called a “treatment-mandated felony,” where offenders with multiple hard drug possession convictions would be given the option of participating in drug and mental health treatment in lieu of incarceration. It also would allow offenders who successfully complete treatment to avoid jail time and have the charge fully expunged.

Support from Progressive Mayors

Two Democratic progressive mayors in two of California’s biggest cities — San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — endorsed the reform campaign earlier this year.

Breed, who initially supported Prop 47, said she’s now seeing unintended consequences of the measure as she tries to crack down on illegal drugs and theft in her city, the San Francisco Chronicle reported in February.

“Our goal is not to keep people locked up,” she said. “But when there are no real consequences for crimes that are committed in this city, that’s a real problem.”

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Impact on Business Owners

Among the many signatories are California business owners who are looking for a policy change to curb crime affecting their livelihoods.

Tony Konja, owner of high-end liquor store chain Keg N Bottle in San Diego, told Fox News Digital that the opportunity to allow voters to change the crime law gives him and other business owners “hope.” 

“It gives us hope that it’s going to change, because something has to happen,” he said. “You know, it’s hard to make it these days as a small business owner.”

Konja, who inherited the business from his father, said, “What’s insane is just how, before, when some crimes

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
• Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
• Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants, and those in precarious employment.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
• Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.1.1: Proportion of population living below the international poverty line, by sex, age, employment status and geographical location.
• Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of treatment interventions (pharmacological, psychosocial and rehabilitation and aftercare services) for substance use disorders.
• Indicator 8.8.1: Frequency rates of fatal and non-fatal occupational injuries, by sex and migrant status.
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities.
• Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.
• Indicator 16.3.3: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized mechanisms.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Fuente: foxnews.com

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