As the November 5th elections near, I want to highlight Proposition 36, a pivotal measure for Sacramento. Our community has been increasingly troubled by crimes ranging from theft to assault, driven by legislative changes and systemic shifts in crime definitions over the past decade.
The origins trace back to 2011 with AB 109, or “Public Safety Realignment,” initiated under Governor Jerry Brown. This legislation shifted many felons from state prisons to local jails, leading to premature releases due to inadequate facilities. This transfer has contributed to a visible rise in crime, particularly affecting the trafficking of dangerous drugs like fentanyl.
Further complicating matters, the 2014 Proposition 47, labeled “The Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act,” reclassified numerous drug felonies and all property crimes under $950 as misdemeanors. This policy shift has fueled the increase in California’s drug-addicted homeless population, surges in fatal overdoses, and rampant retail thefts.
Proposition 57, promoted as a safety measure, redefined numerous violent crimes as non-violent, enabling earlier releases for offenders. This categorization includes heinous acts like the rape of an unconscious person. Such legislative changes have not only facilitated the growth of organized retail theft but also diminished the morale of our law enforcement and threatened the viability of small businesses.
The political landscape, influenced by a focus on decarceration and police funding cuts, has prioritized criminal interests over public safety, affecting citizens and businesses alike. Despite resistance and legislative attempts to remove it, Proposition 36 remains on the ballot, reflecting a critical public mandate to address these legislative failures.
Proposition 36 proposes several amendments to enhance penalties and accountability, particularly concerning drug-related offenses:
• Stricter penalties for smash-and-grab incidents and repeat retail theft.
• Allows stolen property values from multiple thefts to be combined, countering tactics by career thieves who steal repeatedly to avoid harsher penalties
• Enhanced charges for drug dealers, especially those linked to fatalities, with potential for murder charges.
• Similar penalties for possessing firearms with fentanyl as with other drugs.
• Increased penalties for distributing significant amounts of fentanyl and renewed incentives for treatment programs over incarceration.
We need tougher rules to stop repeat offenders who aren’t facing the consequences they should. Supporting Proposition 36 means strengthening our laws to better protect our neighborhoods and support honest businesses and residents.
This proposition will enforce stricter penalties for ongoing crimes, helping to ensure the safety of everyone in Sacramento. With Proposition 36, we take a crucial step toward a safer community by addressing the gaps in our current system and showing our commitment to law and order.
Thank you for Reading – and as always if you want to contact me, call me at 916-874-5491, or e-mail me at SupervisorFrost@saccounty.gov.
Sacramento County Supervisor Sue Frost represents the 4th District, which includes the communities of Citrus Heights, Folsom, Orangevale, Antelope, North Highlands, Rio Linda, Elverta, and Rancho Murieta.