Blue State Gets More Dangerous?

As Californians head to the polls to decide on Proposition 36, a crucial measure aimed at tackling crime in the state, Governor Gavin Newsom has recently signed a comprehensive set of 10 bills targeting property and drug offenses. This legislative move comes in response to mounting concerns about crime and public safety in California.

Governor Newsom, alongside Democratic leaders, has voiced strong opposition to Prop 36, arguing that it could lead to a new wave of mass incarceration and may not be financially practical. Legal scholar John Shu, who has served under both President George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush, suggests that Newsom’s recent actions are largely motivated by the upcoming election and the significant public support for Prop 36. According to Shu, “The real intent behind these bills is to sway voters against Prop 36. The Governor’s push to address crime seems more like a strategic maneuver than a genuine commitment to solving the issue.”

Despite recent polls indicating that 56% of Californians support Prop 36, the impact of Newsom’s new legislation remains uncertain. The state continues to grapple with severe issues like retail theft and organized crime. Supporters of Prop 36 argue that Newsom’s recent legislative package fails to fully address these pressing concerns. The Yes on Prop 36 campaign has criticized the Governor for not advancing two additional bills that could have provided more substantial solutions for issues like smash-and-grab theft and the aggregation of stolen property values in determining crime severity.

Shu acknowledges that while the new laws do make strides in addressing some forms of theft—such as cargo and auto theft—and improve prosecution measures, they fall short of providing comprehensive protection against property crime. The legislative package includes measures such as requiring online sellers to provide bank and tax information, and allowing retailers to secure restraining orders against repeat offenders. However, Shu emphasizes that these efforts are only partial solutions and do not adequately tackle broader issues like habitual theft, the fentanyl crisis, and homelessness.

In contrast, Shu believes that Prop 36 and the newly signed bills could potentially complement each other. “Supporters of Newsom’s new measures should also back Prop 36,” Shu notes, “as both aim to collaboratively address and reduce crime rates, particularly those related to property and drugs.”

Despite Governor Newsom’s opposition, some Democratic leaders, including San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, have endorsed Prop 36. Interestingly, while Newsom unveiled his new retail theft legislation at a Home Depot in San Jose—a location notably supportive of Prop 36—Mahan was not present. Home Depot has been actively supporting Prop 36, highlighting the growing concerns among retailers about escalating costs due to theft.