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Business and law enforcement leaders are responding to yesterday's announcement by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Assemblymember Rick Zbur on new legislation to address the ongoing retail theft crisis throughout the state:
“While we appreciate Speaker Rivas' and Assemblymember Zbur’s ongoing work to address the retail theft crisis, the legislative outline announced is an incomplete solution,” said Greg Totten, president of the California District Attorneys Association. “While we are waiting to see the actual language, the press conference is a clear signal that the Legislature is taking this crisis seriously. But absent a vote of the people this November, there is no guarantee that this new legislation will withstand legal scrutiny and create meaningful change we so desperately need.”
In 2014, California voters approved Proposition 47, which sought to reform the state’s criminal justice system, and limited the Legislature’s power to increase criminal sentences for certain crimes. Since its passage 10 years ago, Prop. 47 has allowed repeat offenders to take advantage of the law and has led to a surge in crime.
“When the voters enacted Prop. 47, they severely limited the power of the Legislature to make amendments, even ones as common sense and those introduced by Speaker Rivas and Assemblymember Zbur,” said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable. “Bringing this issue back to the voters is the only way to ensure that meaningful reform will withstand lawsuits from those looking to maintain the status quo.”
Families, small businesses, and the goods movement sector continue to be affected by the retail theft crisis. Businesses have invested millions of dollars to secure merchandise and add additional security to cargo.
“California retail establishments are paying the price for retail theft, whether through decreased foot traffic, increased costs, or both. We appreciate the Speaker and Assemblymember Zbur’s proposals and look forward to working with them on ensuring the good work being done in the Legislature is not immediately undone in the courts. That is why we are also supporting a ballot measure that will put Prop. 47 reform where it belongs—for the voters to decide this November,” concluded Matthew Hargrove, president and CEO of the California Business Properties Association.
The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, Retail Theft Reduction Act ballot measure which will effectively improve community safety by holding repeat theft and drug traffickers accountable continues to gain momentum with 420,000 signatures collected by California voters. The measure also includes incentives to complete drug and mental health treatment for people who are addicted to hard drugs. Recent endorsements of San Jose Mayor Mahan, San Francisco Mayor Breed, Santa Monica Mayor Brock as well as the largest law enforcement union organization in the state Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) demonstrate the need to amend Prop 47 to improve safety in communities.
A survey of likely California voters found that 89% of likely voters support amending Proposition 47 for stronger penalties for those engaged in repeated retail theft and trafficking hard drugs like fentanyl. The overwhelming support was consistent across every demographic and geography including the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
To qualify the measure for the November 2024 ballot, the law requires 546,651 valid signatures.
For more information, go to www.CASafeCommunities.com.
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