Calls for mandatory jail time for repeat shoplifters are growing among California lawmakers, law enforcement agencies, and retail representatives.
During a press conference held on Monday, representatives from various parts of the state expressed their backing for AB 1772. This proposed legislation aims to mandate imprisonment for individuals found guilty of a third theft offense. The penalties for the crime would vary from one to three years, depending on the specific circumstances.
A new bill has been introduced with the intention of modifying Proposition 47, a policy that was approved by voters in 2014. This policy currently categorizes thefts under $950 as misdemeanors.
Currently, individuals convicted of thefts under $950 can face a maximum of six months in county jail. Not all retail crimes are covered by the policy. Violent crimes, such as robberies, are not covered under Prop 47.
The bill maintains the current shoplifting limit of $950 and exclusively pertains to thefts below this threshold. Theft cases involving amounts exceeding $950 are already classified as felonies.
“This bill, according to San Bernardino Police Chief Darren Goodman, is a common sense nonpartisan measure aimed at addressing repeat shoplifters,” he stated during the press conference.
According to the latest data released by the California Department of Justice, shoplifting has seen an increase during the years of 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the numbers for 2022 were either on par or lower than those of previous years and decades.
During a press conference on Monday, San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus expressed concern about the current state of affairs in California. He emphasized that the impact of Prop 47 has become increasingly evident, making it impossible to ignore the worsening situation on the streets.
According to research, there is scant evidence to suggest that Prop 47 played a role in the increase of crime.
According to a study conducted by the Public Policy Institute of California, there is some evidence suggesting that Prop 47 may have had an impact on theft rates. However, it is important to note that these rates still remain significantly lower than those observed in previous decades.
Researchers at UC Irvine have conducted a separate analysis which indicates that the slight rise in theft following the implementation of Prop 47 cannot be directly attributed to the policy.
California implements a policy akin to the “three strikes” rule, where individuals convicted of more severe or violent felonies face lengthier prison terms. The policy was implemented during the 1990s.
A recent study conducted by the California Policy Lab in 2022 has revealed that there is insufficient evidence to definitively attribute the decline in violent crime to the implementation of the “three strikes” rule. Crime rates experienced a notable decline across the nation during and after the 1990s, regardless of whether states had implemented “three strikes” laws or not.
AB 1772 is currently making its way through the state legislature and awaits Gov. Gavin Newsom’s approval before potentially being presented to voters.
