Despite voter rejection of leftist policies, Los Angeles officials remain committed to their progressive agenda.

The defeat of Los Angeles (LA) County District Attorney George Gascón is a reflection of a growing trend among voters who believe that progressive policies pose a threat to public safety, according to local sources.

In November, California voters approved a measure to repeal certain provisions of Proposition 47, a law backed by Gascón that reduced some theft and drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.

Proposition 36's overwhelming support led to an increase in penalties for theft and drug crimes, while also establishing a new treatment-focused court process for drug possession offenses. This process requires courts to inform dealers that they may be charged with murder if a fatal overdose occurs.

Offenders with multiple misdemeanors could also see their charges turned into a felony.

LA Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the changes, driven by voter concerns about crime, will be crucial in punishing the perpetrators of smash-and-grab robberies. Previously, burglaries were classified as misdemeanors if the stolen amount was below $950. Now, each burglary is added to a total sum that is more likely to result in a harsher sentence.

Under California's criminal conspiracy laws, large groups who commit smash-and-grab robberies can be charged collectively.

Hatami stated that this would likely boost law enforcement's morale because it would mean there wouldn't be a constant cycle of people getting arrested and released.

Voters must continue to push back against "activist" DAs who "decide they're not going to enforce the law because they don't believe in it," as he insisted that law enforcement needs to feel confident that DAs will follow through on charges and prosecute crimes.

"As a country, progressive prosecutors should be aware that most people do not want that type of prosecutor, and instead, we need actual DAs who have empathy and care about others, but their primary responsibility is ensuring everyone's safety."

Despite the challenges, LA continues to grapple with various public safety concerns, such as home burglaries, sex trafficking, and child abuse. Additionally, gun violence and bail remain major concerns.

He proposed that "Gascón dismantled LA County's bail system" and prosecutors must recognize their duty is not "ensuring fairness for the criminal," but rather "ensuring fairness for all citizens."

Soledad Ursua, a Venice Neighborhood Council Board Member, stated that Gascón's defeat is a significant victory for LA County, with public safety being the top priority for most voters in the region, according to her.

Venice Beach has seen a rise in violence on public transport and the streets, with drug addiction and homelessness contributing to the problem.

Ursua stated that many individuals jog on the boardwalk in the morning, but there have been instances where homeless men have attacked women joggers. One such incident occurred recently, where a woman was running at 7 AM when a man jumped out, dragged her by her hair, and attempted to rape her in the bathrooms.

In the area, many homeless individuals are out-of-state transients with extensive criminal records, as she observed.

"California became a haven for criminals because all crimes are legal," Ursua stated. "As a result, someone like that may only receive a short sentence and be back on the streets, ready to commit more crimes."

According to Ursua, officers at crime scenes have acknowledged being constrained by laws such as Prop 47, which she believes will ultimately result in more arrests and harsher consequences with the removal of Gascón and the implementation of Prop 36.

"This issue isn't exclusive to the right wing. It's basic sense. I hope people are starting to see that these liberal policies have caused harm and destroyed communities," she stated.

In recent years, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has faced challenges in recruiting new officers, with many experienced officers leaving the force through attrition. As a result, the department's strength in 2023 reached its lowest point in many years.

Some neighbors have opted not to report crimes due to the long wait times experienced when contacting the non-emergency hotline, as claimed by Ursua.

"Our elected officials claim that crime is decreasing, but it's actually reported crime that's decreasing," she said. "People no longer call the police because they won't even show up. The police only respond to serious incidents like stabbings and shootings because they are so overwhelmed."

Many crimes involving the destruction or stealing of property are going unsolved as police have shifted the bulk of resources to violent crime, resulting in retailers like Target having to lock up large swathes of products and car owners growing worried after a group of homeless men set fire to trash and vehicles.

Property crimes, such as the destruction of a vehicle, are considered victimless and largely ignored in Los Angeles, she stated.

Although there are vocal concerns about public safety, Ursua stated that elected officials in LA are still moving forward on a "progressive warpath."

City officials in Los Angeles passed a sanctuary city law on Tuesday, following Trump's election and threats of mass deportation.

The 13-0 vote will prevent LA from allocating any city resources or personnel to aid in the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

Ursua and Hatami are rejoicing in the defeat of progressive lawmakers and the rejection of controversial criminal justice reforms by voters.

The recent push by voters to "restore common sense and law and order" has made Ursua optimistic about its positive impact.

Gascón's defeat was not only a victory for the people of LA but also for other deputy DAs, police officers, and victims who felt "unsafe" under his directives.

Gascón lost reelection by over 20 points despite surviving a recall effort in 2022. Hatami attributed the failure of the recall effort to the large number of signatures required to initiate a recall on the ballot.

The outgoing DA has faced a significant surge of support to be removed, as the political climate in the US is known to shift rapidly.

"Prop 36 demonstrates the same thing," Hatami stated. "In 2014, Prop 47 passed with a resounding success. Yet, in 2024, a significant number of people came out to say that the law was flawed and needed to be corrected. This shows that people's opinions are changing rapidly."

Planet Chronicle' Louis Casiano contributed to this report.