Latest news with #Prop.36
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will Newsom finally listen to California's clear call for public safety?
For years, Gov. Gavin Newsom has pushed an image of himself as a defender of democracy and touted how much he respects the will of the people. This week, the governor has the opportunity to prove he's all of that by funding the anti-crime initiative Proposition 36 during his presentation of the May Revise. My Senate Republican colleagues and I urge the governor to set aside $400 million in his May Revise to implement Prop. 36, passed by California voters in November, which increases sentences for certain drug and theft crimes. Opinion Prop. 36's fiscal impacts were transparently spelled out for voters, as the Legislative Analyst made clear that it would lead to 'increased state criminal justice costs, likely ranging from several tens of millions of dollars to the low hundreds of millions of dollars annually.' Newsom actively campaigned against Prop. 36, claiming it would further 'mass incarceration.' Having heard both sides, the anti-crime initiative's results were decided by state voters: Almost 70% of California voters voted for the proposition. From Lassen and Kern to Marin and San Francisco, counties conservative and liberal spoke with a single voice. For the first and only time during Newsom's administration, every single county in California agreed on a ballot measure. So far, however, the voice of the people has been entirely ignored by Newsom and Democratic leaders in the Legislature: In the governor's January budget, Prop. 36 received zero proposed funding. And as recently as early-April, Senate Democrats rejected an amendment that I introduced to add Prop. 36 funding to the state budget. I believe public safety should always be the first role of government, and we owe it to the people of California to do better to keep our communities safe. By passing Prop. 36 with such an overwhelming mandate, Californians proclaimed loudly and definitively that they are fed up with placing the rights of criminals over those of victims. California residents are fed up with increased rates of serial retail theft and drug use and with the ballooning number of homeless individuals on our streets. Californians want people who need treatment to get it and those who don't to experience the consequence of their crimes. The success of Prop. 36's treatment-focused approach depends heavily on the availability of well-funded mental health and substance abuse services, which are critical for breaking cycles of addiction and reducing recidivism. By addressing repeat offenses and prioritizing rehabilitation, Prop. 36 has the potential to improve public safety, reduce crime rates and alleviate the long-term strain on our state's criminal justice system. Beyond just respecting the will of the people and making crime illegal again, there are numerous real benefits we can see by funding the anti-crime initiative reforms. We can make a real impact at making communities safer. Now is the time to stop the rhetoric and take action. State Sen. Tony Strickland represents California District 36, encompassing parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Yahoo
Study: Kern County leads California in Proposition 36 case filings
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — In the November election, California voters passed Proposition 36, voting to increase penalties for repeat offenders in drug and theft crimes. A recent study by the Public Policy Institute of California — a non-profit, non-partisan research organization — shows that statewide, Kern County ranks number one for Prop. 36 case filings. It states 24 cases per 100,000 residents. It also examined the potential correlation between filings and countywide demand for Prop. 36's passage. The demand was very high here in Kern County — 77% of voters supported it. According to the study, that was the highest approval rate in the state. Community members say they're continuing to breathe sighs of relief, since the law took effect in December. 'I just think it's a blessing,' said Heidi Shubin, a former Bakersfield small business owner. Heidi Shubin owned Sugardaddy's Women's Boutique for 15 years. It was her family business of over four decades. She closed shop last November, following inflation and back-to-back break ins. 'It's time consuming; it's invading. You feel violated. The money is a drain, and if it keeps happening over and over, you kind of lose hope in humanity,' Shubin said of the burglaries. She detailed that more than $2,300 worth of merchandise was stolen by the same person within 24 hours, and repairs cost $14,000, though a community fundraiser thankfully covered that cost. 'I found out he literally only got three weeks in juvenile detention,' Shubin said. Romanian EBT suspect gets confrontational in courtroom as case faces another setback She said now that Proposition 36 is a reality, she's hopeful. 'Maybe they could've thought twice before doing it the second time, or even the first time, if they knew they were actually going to have consequences to their actions,' said Shubin. Shubin will never know and other businesses could reap the benefits. Proposition 36 ups penalties for repeat offenders in drug and theft crimes. A person — with two prior drug or two prior theft convictions — can face felony charges — instead of misdemeanors — for possessing certain drugs (including fentanyl) and for thefts under $950. 'We've talked to different people who say they understand the severity of the consequences of those types of action that can be charged,' said Lieutenant Nicole Anderberg of the Bakersfield Police Department. Anderberg manages BPD's Impact Unit, which handles quality of life issues. '[Prop 36] does change the way officers are making arrests, whether they're arresting someone for a misdemeanor or a felony,' the lieutenant noted. District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a statement, 'In the first 90 days, new Proposition 36 laws have allowed our office to prosecute repeat offenders more effectively than we've been able to in years.' Another major takeaway from the study — of Kern County's filings, 68% are related to drug offenses. Anderberg said that number matches what officers are seeing. 'There is a lot of narcotics use,' she said. 'There is a lot of availability.' Those charged and convicted under Prop 36 could be mandated to go into treatment instead of prison. Which, Anderberg said, could be beneficial. '[Mandated treatment will have] more an impact on the person that committed the crime as opposed to just getting a ticket and walking away,' she explained. Shubin agreed, saying as a recovering addict herself, she knows firsthand what addiction is like. 'The theft is what we did to support our habits, and that's exactly what's happening nowadays,' Shubin said, adding that mandated treatments are what helped her get clean. The first person in Kern to be charged under Prop 36 will be sentenced next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
03-04-2025
- CBS News
San Francisco police arrest suspected serial shoplifter under Prop. 36
Police in San Francisco announced Thursday the arrest of a suspected serial shoplifter, citing a measure recently approved by voters aimed at toughening penalties for retail theft. According to officers, Marcel Criner was initially arrested on Dec. 4, 2024 following a petty theft incident at a store on the 1300 block of Castro Street. Officers booked Criner into jail on suspicion of felony theft after he was suspected in four other thefts at the same location, saying he stole $1,294.73 of items in total. Two days later, a judge issued Criner a stay away order from the store and was released on his own recognizance. Later that month, Prop. 36 went into effect . The measure, which was approved by 68.4% of voters in the November election , enables prosecutors to charge petty theft incidents as either a misdemeanor or felony if a person has two or more prior theft convictions, police said. According to officers, Criner had what was described as "numerous" prior convictions for theft. Last month, investigators with the department's Defend Against Retail Theft (DART) Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Task Force began investigating Criner for five thefts at the same store after being issued a stay-away order. Investigators said they were also able to link Criner to three other thefts at the store in November. Police said the losses from the new incidents totaled nearly $3,000. Criner was arrested and booked into San Francisco County Jail on March 25. He has been charged with five felony counts of petty theft with a prior conviction, five counts of committing a felony while on release, five counts of violating a court order, three counts of petty theft and two counts of organized retail theft. "Our officers will continue to use every tool available to them, including new statutes from Prop 36 passed by voters, to hold suspects accountable. I'd like to thank the investigators who worked tirelessly on these cases and continue to curb organized retail theft in our city," Chief Bill Scott said in a statement . Jail records show Criner remained in custody Thursday on $25,000 bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 10. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact police at 415-575-4444 or to text TIP411, beginning the message with SFPD.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
Repeat offender charged with felony credit card fraud and theft
( — Woodland Police Department received a report of credit card fraud from a local resident on February 26, 2024. •Video above: New bill seeks to help implement Prop. 36 changes in California WPD said that an investigation led them to Kenneth Matthews, who had unlawfully obtained the victim's credit and bank cards. Police said Matthews also used the cards several times charging them to around $1,000 on their cards in just one day. Matthews also had a prior conviction for unlawful use of personal identifying information and the charges were filed in 2024 on March, stated WPD. Shooting suspect in Marysville police officer's death identified Even though those cases were pending and Matthews was out on bail, California voters passed Prop 36 which was aimed at addressing the retail theft crisis by increasing penalties for repeat thieves, said WPD. The law went into effect on Dec. 18 and after two days, Matthews was arrested during a retail theft blitz operation that was conducted by the California Highway Patrol's Valley Division at Target in Woodland. Matthews was observed ticket-switching and paying only around $2 for around $200 worth of merchandise. He was stopped by CHP as he left the store with unpaid merchandise and was arrested after a record check revealed that he had numerous qualifying convictions making the conduct a felony charge. District Attorney Jeff Reisig said, 'California voters have spoken by an overwhelming majority, passing Prop 36 by nearly 70%, calling for change and accountability for repeat theft offenders. This case is just one example that demonstrates the need for the changes that voters have rightfully demanded. The Yolo County District Attorney's Office will continue to fight to ensure that the voters' will is done by holding serial thieves accountable in a meaningful way to combat the retail theft crisis.' These convictions stem from Matthews' repeated thefts in Yolo County from The Home Depot, and Target, and the unauthorized use of credit cards that belonged to residents in Woodland, said WPD. At many Home Depot stores from July to December 2023, police said he was caught on camera ticket-switching, as he would scan a lower-priced item in place of the expensive item he had chosen. Home Depot Loss Prevention team caught Matthews scheme who then submitted their reports directly to the Yolo County District Attorney's Office through the FastPass program and charges were filed in 2024. On March 25, WPD stated that Matthews pled no-contest to retail theft with two or more prior convictions, grand thefts, and unlawful use of personal identity information. Additionally, he admitted to eight prior qualifying convictions. WPD said per the terms of the plea, Matthews will be sentenced on May 20 at around 9 a.m. at Yolo Superiors Court to three years and four months in local prison. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Traffic stop turns into major arrest for Folsom Police Department
( — A traffic stop turned into a major arrest for the Folsom Police Department on March 6. •Video above: New bill seeks to help implement Prop. 36 changes in California According to FPD, around 1 a.m. an officer pulled over a vehicle near White Rock Road and Oak Avenue Parkway for driving without a license plate. After the stop, the officer noticed that the driver was on searchable probation. Authorities searched the vehicle and found four stolen firearms, ammunition, tools, and camping equipment which were all linked to a recent storage unit robbery in El Dorado Hills, stated FPD. Officials said that the driver was identified as a 43-year-old man from Rancho Cordova. He has since been booked in Sacramento County Main Jail on charges related to multiple firearms and theft-related offenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
