‘Fix Prop. 47’ Ballot Initiative is a Game Changer on Day 1

California leads the nation in fentanyl deaths, homelessness and retail theft thanks to Proposition 47.

The ballot initiative to amend Proposition 47, “The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act,” just qualified for the November ballot. Californians for Safer Communities Coalition announced that more than 900,000 signatures were collected of the needed 546,651, and submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office, the Globe reported Thursday.

For those who haven’t personally witnessed daily brazen theft in mom and pop convenience stores, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, grocery stores and high end retail stores, or noticed how many items are now under lock and key, Prop. 47 reduced a host of serious felonies to misdemeanors, including drug crimes, date rape, and all thefts under $950, even for repeat offenders who steal every day. Proposition 47 was passed by tragically misinformed voters in 2014, and flagrantly titled “The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act” by then Attorney General Kamala Harris.

Prop. 47 also decriminalized drug possession from a felony to a misdemeanor, removed law enforcement’s ability to make an arrest in most circumstances, as well as removing judges’ ability to order drug rehabilitation programs rather than incarceration.

Even by 2016, retailers were reporting a 15% to 50% rise in shoplifting across the board.

There have been numerous attempts to repeal and/or reverse Proposition 47 legislatively, but every attempt was killed by legislative Democrats.

The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act specifically goes after serial thieves and drug crimes, and would elevate the third time someone commits retail theft to a felony charge.

The fundamental problem with Proposition 47 was serial retail theft, or “petty theft with priors,” which could no longer be cumulatively charged and prosecuted, as we emphasized earlier, even for repeat offenders who steal every day.

That all changes on Day 1 should voters pass The Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act. The measure will hold repeat offenders accountable for the safety of our communities, rather than putting them back on the streets.

As the Globe has reported and according to experts involved in the initiative, the day the initiative passes, a thief caught a third time, with any prior theft charges on his adult record, can be charged with a felony. And if he is caught stealing a fourth time, he is eligible for prison.

The discretion will remain with the District Attorneys and Judges, but the law will be restored to allow increased penalties with increased thefts.

But voters need to expect interference from Democrats between now and November.

As the Globe reported last week, Assembly Democrats are attempting to commandeer the initiative with a package of bills that aim to address theft by allowing restraining orders to keep people who steal away from certain stores, and letting prosecutors aggregate the value of thefts across multiple incidents in determining criminal charges.

But because Proposition 47 specifically inhibited any increases in penalties, it has to go back to a ballot initiative for voters to change the law. The Legislature could have passed a Constitutional Amendment for the ballot, but have not done so in 10 years.

Democrats are the fox guarding the henhouse, as it was the Democrat party and radical leftists who ushered in Proposition 47, which has provided the state ten years of increased drug and serial theft crimes, taking its toll on the state’s residents and businesses. Because of Proposition 47, there is no accountability when it comes to these crimes, theft is underreported and some stores are even told not to report theft crimes.

Also notable, despite overwhelming evidence of rampant crime throughout the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom has continually praised Proposition 47, Proposition 57 and AB 109 (prison realignment), claiming they all helped reduce crime in the state.

Democrats have had 10 years to work to reverse Prop. 47. They also could instead have thrown support behind the Fix 47 ballot initiative if they really believe in “bipartisan” agreements. This is more about Democrats controlling the process than it is fixing a problem.

But Democrats are playing politics. They aren’t really interested in their package of bills “to thwart theft.” They don’t want this initiative on the November ballot because it is a presidential election year, and there are many congressional seats in play. This high-profile, non-partisan ballot initiative will bring out voters who may be reminded that it was Democrats who are responsible for all of the crime the people of California are victimized by.

It’s pure politics for Democrats – screw your business and your safety.

Knowing that should bring out millions of fed-up voters to vote in November – exactly what Democrats don’t want.

Even the SEIU has thrown down its cards and is now trying to kill retail theft reform bills – even the bills authored by Democrats. And they are joined by the wealthy spouses of real estate developers, tech billionaires and daughters of oil barons – people who live behind tall walls and secured gates. Their cars and homes aren’t broken into.

Homelessness has increased 51% in CA since Prop. 47 was passed in 2014, and essentially decriminalized hard drugs like fentanyl and meth, Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig explains. “Fentanyl is openly sold on the streets near California’s Capitol for $1.50/pill. Same scene in SF, LA, SD & more. CA leads the nation in fentanyl deaths, homelessness and retail theft. Ignoring the connections is malpractice.”

Day one, the ballot initiative will define fentanyl as a hard drug, hold individuals convicted of trafficking fentanyl accountable, and grant judges greater discretion in sentencing drug traffickers. It will also provide critical mental health, drug treatment services, and job training within the justice system for people who are homeless and suffering from mental illness or struggling with substance abuse.

How dangerous and disgusting does California have to get before Democrats will repeal Prop. 47″ the Globe continues to ask.

Fentanyl is openly sold on the streets near California’s Capitol for $1.50/pill. Same scene in SF, LA, SD & more. CA leads the nation in fentanyl deaths, homelessness and retail theft. Ignoring the connections is malpractice. #Homelessness #RetailTheft #Fentanyl #FixProp47 pic.twitter.com/R9IUlzHTU8

— Jeff Reisig (@jeffreisig) March 29, 2024