Californians push back on lenient crime laws, dealing a blow to progressive policies championed by George Gascón and Gavin Newsom.
In a decisive move, California voters have overwhelmingly passed Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which rolls back parts of the state’s controversial Proposition 47. With 71% support, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, this measure sends a strong signal against lenient crime policies that have led to a surge in retail thefts, smash-and-grab robberies, and organized crime affecting both large retailers and small businesses alike.
Proposition 47, passed in 2014, downgraded numerous thefts from felonies to misdemeanors if the amount stolen was under $950, allowing theft to flourish largely unchecked, critics argue. That law, authored in part by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, also downgraded certain drug-related felonies to misdemeanors. Gascón, a prominent advocate for “progressive” criminal justice reform with backing from billionaire George Soros, faces an uncertain political future as his challenger, Republican Nathan Hochman, gains traction.
San Francisco Mayor London Breed endorsed Proposition 36, calling it a “meaningful difference for cities across California.” However, the measure faced stiff opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who argued that returning to stricter penalties would bring back “mass incarceration,” reminiscent of the 1980s. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris, who is facing poor polling numbers in the upcoming presidential election, avoided addressing whether she supported Proposition 36, skirting questions on the measure this past weekend.
The strong bipartisan support for Proposition 36 also includes notable backers like San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, alongside major law enforcement groups, including the California District Attorneys Association, the Los Angeles Police Protective League, and the California State Sheriffs’ Association. For many in California, the passage of Proposition 36 marks a decisive shift toward accountability and tougher crime policies after nearly a decade of escalating concerns over public safety and crime deterrence in the state.
