Jim Hartman
In November, California voters turned to the political center, adopted sensible ballot propositions and rejected far-left progressive officeholders.
The Golden State’s major course correction was on crime, where 68.5% of voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition 36 to strengthen penalties for theft and drug offenses. It won in all 58 California counties.
The initiative rolls back parts of Proposition 47 passed in 2014, which effectively eliminated penalties for drug possession and theft of less than $950.
Proposition 47 proposed resolving California’s crime problems by downgrading many felonies to misdemeanors. It’s deceptive ballot title, “the Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act,” was the brainchild of California’s then-attorney general, Kamala Harris.
Proposition 36 allows prosecutors to bring felony charges against shoplifters with two or more past theft convictions.
Prosecutors could also charge people found possessing illegal drugs with a “treatment mandated felony” if they have two or more convictions for drug crimes. Those who complete treatment will have their charges dismissed.
Proposition 36 was supported by more than 70 California mayors, including several Democrats from big cities. County district attorneys and major retailers threw their support behind it too.
It was opposed by California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Democratic Party.
Since California voters passed Proposition 47 in 2014, prosecutors, police and retailers blamed the law for an increase in property crimes and homelessness.
During the pandemic, the rate of shoplifting and commercial burglaries skyrocketed, soaring over 28% in the past five years.
Homelessness has increased over 50% since Proposition 47 passed. The reason given by supporters is that drug dependence pushes people into the street, and increasing drug possession penalties is the only way to force people into treatment.
In related news, voters ousted Los Angeles County far-left progressive District Attorney George Gascon. His loss was a landslide repudiation of his “restorative justice” policies. Gascon was defeated, 61% to 38%.
He lost to Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor.
Elected in November 2020, after the George Floyd disorder, Gascon told his prosecutors there would be no sentencing enhancements, no more use of the death penalty, no more cash bail.
He ordered them to seek diversion programs rather than prison time and to end the prosecution of minors in adult courts.
Gascon’s staff rebelled, crime spiked, and public opinion soured. He has been the target of two failed recall attempts and is a pariah among his own prosecutors.
Voters in Los Angeles County realized their mistake and acted accordingly. On the same day, voters in Alameda County recalled far-left progressive District Attorney Pamela Price, with 63% supporting her removal.
Elected two years ago, Price promised jail “decarceration.” During her term, crime has surged with Alameda County seeing double-digit increases in violent and property crimes. Price sparked immediate outrage over her refusal to seek more serious charges in multiple cases.
With a 61% majority, East Bay voters also recalled Oakland’s progressive Mayor Sheng Theo, a Hmong American. She was heavily criticized for firing Oakland’s popular Black police chief, blamed for defunding police and city budget woes.
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie, a moderate Democrat and Levi Strauss heir, ran as a tough-on-crime alternative to progressive Mayor London Breed’s lax policies on theft, drug use and homelessness that plague the city. Lurie defeated Breed by over 10 points.
In June 2022, San Francisco voters sent a national message on crime by recalling the city’s radical district attorney, Chesa Boudin, by 55% to 45%.
Son of convicted Weather Underground domestic terrorist parents, Boudin refused to enforce some criminal laws and sharply reduced felony prosecutions.
There isn’t a far-left progressive district attorney in California anymore, they’re all gone.
It’s an amazing shift from 2020 to 2024. Voters made clear in San Francisco, Alameda and Los Angeles counties they support sensible reform, but they also demand public safety as a fundamental right.
E-mail Jim Hartman at lawdocman1@aol.com.