Story By Marc Steinorth – Contributing Writer | The Press-Enterprise
When California voters approved Proposition 47, deceivingly referred to as the “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act,” in 2014, they were promised that the law would only reduce penalties for minor offenses without any negative effects on public safety. Proponents argued that it would stop the flow of criminals into prison for petty transgressions, while saving the state millions of dollars in the process.
Nearly two years later, it’s clear that neither of these promises has come true, as major flaws have already emerged and are now being routinely exploited by criminals. Crime statistics show a major spike in violent crime after California had experienced decades of decline.
Despite the mounting evidence that fixes are needed to Prop. 47, the majority party, which controls Sacramento, has blocked every attempt to repair the damage being done to our communities.
Last month, the California Police Chiefs Association released statistics from 2015 that painted a stark picture of the dangerous effects we are seeing in cities around the state. The data from Prop. 47’s first full year in effect revealed that violent crime such as murder, robbery and aggravated assault increased by 15 percent in large cities, in sharp contrast to the national increase of only 1 percent. Property crimes were also up by 15 percent, despite a 6 percent decrease nationally. The statistics also demonstrated similar spikes in smaller cities.
Clearly not only petty criminals are being kept out of prison, and Californians should be particularly concerned about the stats on violent crime.
There are common-sense steps that legislators can take to close the loopholes created by Prop. 47. I introduced, along with several of my colleagues, a number of measures to address these issues, but unfortunately, they have met stiff resistance from Sacramento insider politicians. In 2015, nine bills were introduced, and all were killed on party-line votes, including one measure to restore felony charges for stealing a gun.
Another bill would have allowed a person to be charged with a felony after being convicted of certain serious offenses three times. While this bill was also killed, it is desperately needed because Prop. 47 has created a revolving-door effect on local criminal justice systems. For instance, crimes like shoplifting or drug possession have minimal sentences and are rarely charged, which means no consequences for the offender. There are numerous reports of criminals being arrested daily without ever serving any time in jail. It is no surprise that shoplifting has increased by as much as 50 percent for some retailers because as long as the amount stolen is under $950, the criminal cannot be properly charged.
Why Sacramento politicians refuse to take any action to prevent this disturbing trend is puzzling. Californians expect their leaders to prioritize their safety, and as the surge in crime continues, we need real leaders with courage to fight against the status quo in Sacramento and who are willing to stand up for those they represent and right the wrongs of Prop. 47.
For me it is common sense. I will always put the safety of my communities first.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Story By Marc Steinorth – Contributing Writer | The Press-Enterprise
Assemblyman Marc Steinorth, R-Rancho Cucamonga, represents the 40th Assembly District. Marc Steinorth is seeking reelection to the 40th Assembly district, which includes the communities of Highland, Loma Linda, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, San Bernardino and the unincorporated areas of Mentone, Devore, Lytle Creek and portions of Phelan. Marc and his wife, Maria and their two children live in Rancho Cucamonga.
