San Diego, California – Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing for new legislation to combat organized theft and strengthen law enforcement across California. The aim of these new laws is to hold criminals accountable and increase penalties in order to address the widespread issue of retail theft and other crimes.
Small business owners in San Diego County have been particularly affected by this problem. Octavio Vazquez, an employee at Luigi Vera, a local boutique, expressed his frustration, stating, “Nobody does anything. Nobody wants to risk their lives.” Vazquez shared his own experience of a recent robbery, where a man armed with a knife stole unpaid merchandise from the store. This incident was just one of the many thefts that Vazquez said the store faces every year.
Governor Newsom’s decision to tackle these crimes could not come soon enough for business owners like Vazquez. The proposed legislation includes expanding criminal penalties, equipping police and prosecutors with the necessary tools to combat theft and car burglaries, and imposing stricter penalties for large-scale stolen goods re-sellers. San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan supports these efforts, emphasizing the impact of these crimes on both the economy and public safety.
Stephan, who has been vocal about the issue of retail theft and property crimes in the county, believes that the resolution lies in reforming Proposition 47. This controversial law, passed by voters in 2014, sets the felony threshold for petty theft and shoplifting at $950. Stephan proposes reevaluating this threshold, suggesting that third-time offenders should face possible felony charges under a new proposition called The Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act.
Ultimately, Stephan believes it is up to the voters to address this issue. She asserts that reforming Proposition 47, rather than getting rid of it entirely, is the key to finding a balanced solution. She hopes that both the voters and the governor will support her proposition.
In summary, Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for new legislation to combat organized theft in California. These efforts aim to hold criminals accountable and increase penalties. Small business owners in San Diego County have been plagued by this issue, prompting support from the local district attorney. The focus is on reforming existing laws and involving the voters to address the problem effectively.