California mayors now want to adjust the crime law in the state as illegal drugs and thefts increase. In 2014, Californian voters passed the law called Proposition 47.
In this law, some felonies were re-classified as misdemeanors. Officials proposed it so that some low-level and non-violent crimes can be charged as misdemeanors.
A looter rob a Target store as protesters face off against police in Oakland California on May 30, 2020, over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a white policeman kneeled on his neck for several minutes.
However, it seems like this law is negatively affecting the state of California as petty thefts and illegal drug possessions are drastically increasing.
Now, a new ballot initiative that could change Prop 47 is now receiving support from both sides of the political spectrum. Here's what Californian residents need to know about it.
California: Mayors Now Want To Amend Prop 47
According to Fox News' latest report, the new Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act is now receiving support from numerous officials and voters.
As of writing, the ballot initiative already received almost 70% of the petition signatures it needs to be included in the ballot in November.
"This initiative, make no mistake about it... is a very balanced, very measured and thoughtful approach," said Californians to Reduce Homelessness Drug Addiction and Theft co-chair Greg Totten.
"It's not blue, it's not red. It's just about California, added Totten, who is also the California District Attorneys Association's CEO.
The new ballot initiative was endorsed by two mayors of California's biggest cities; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Breed said that she previously supported Prop 47. Unfortunately, she changed her stance after seeing its consequences as illegal drugs and theft spike in her city.
"Our goal is not to keep people locked up. But when there are no real consequences for crimes that are committed in this city, that's a real problem," explained Breed.
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Increasing Petty Crimes in California
A suspected looter carrying boxes of shoes run past National Guard soldiers in Hollywood, California, June 1, 2020, after a demonstration over the death of George Floyd. Major US cities.
KCRA 3 reported that shoplifting and other petty crimes in California decreased in 2016. After that, these crimes drastically dipped in 2020 and 2021.
But, they started increasing again in 2022. However, experts said that as these petty crimes spike, the number of arrests has decreased over the last decade due to Proposition 47.
The new Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act is expected to change this ongoing issue in California. As of writing, it already has 214,000 signatures.
But, it needs a total of 546,651 signatures before April ends if Californians want to include it in the November ballot.
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