Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media
California voters have approved Proposition 36, a ballot measure imposing stricter penalties for retail theft, property crimes, and drug offenses, effectively rolling back aspects of the state’s 2014 Proposition 47.
Prop 47 aimed to reduce California’s prison population by reclassifying some non-violent felonies as misdemeanors, shifting funds from incarceration to toward drug treatment and victim services . However, supporters of Prop 36 argue that Prop 47’s leniency has contributed to increased property crime, homelessness, and drug addiction.
Mike Gatto, a Democratic former state assemblymember from Los Angeles is a proponent of Prop 36 and anticipates that the initiative will curb retail crime in the state.
“The voters recognize that Prop 36 is a sensible measure and that it will be the first step in stopping the retail thefts that make shopping miserable,” said Gatto.
Backed by law enforcement, business groups, and a mix of political leaders, including outgoing San Francisco Mayor London Breed, Prop 36 seeks to address homelessness and the fentanyl crisis through longer prison sentences for drug dealers and a mandatory treatment program for individuals with addiction issues.
Opponents say the measure will increase California’s prison population and court system costs, estimated in the tens of millions.
Critics, including social justice groups, warn that Prop 36 undermines the progress achieved under Prop 47, which has reallocated over $800 million to treatment and behavioral health initiatives. Opponents like Californians for Safety and Justice argue the new law preys on public fear, exacerbated by viral retail theft incidents, to push a “tough-on-crime” agenda that may drain resources from essential support programs.
Proponents, however, contend that addressing rising crime rates justifies these increased expenses, with Gatto expressing confidence that the legislature can allocate funding to offset any cuts to treatment services.
