California crime law, which was once a critical component of the state's criminal justice system, is now facing the chopping block.

Both California Republicans and Democrats have expressed their support for a ballot measure aimed at repealing Proposition 47.

California crime law, which was once a critical component of the state's criminal justice system, is now facing the chopping block.
California crime law, which was once a critical component of the state's criminal justice system, is now facing the chopping block.

Efforts are being made to change a California law that has been in effect for a decade and has caused significant problems in the state, with both sides of the political spectrum opposing it and a key supporter of the measure running for president.

Proposition 47, a 2014 law, reclassified various felonies, including retail and property theft, as misdemeanors. Under Prop 47, petty theft of goods valued at under $950 is classified as a misdemeanor, even for multiple offenses. Additionally, it reduced the number of narcotics possession offenses that were previously felonies and made them misdemeanors.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan have joined the effort to amend Proposition 47, along with district attorneys across the state. Vice President Kamala Harris has given the bill "critical" support, but she remains silent on whether she wants to see Proposition 47 amended.

Kamala Harris disembarks Air Force Two as she arrives to campaign in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Vice President Kamala Harris was tasked early on in the Biden administration with addressing the root causes of mass migration from Central and South America.  (Reuters/Kevin Mohatt/Pool)

""

If Prop 47 is reformed, it would make fentanyl illegal to possess with a gun, along with heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This would result in more severe consequences for selling deadly quantities and enable stricter penalties for dealers whose trafficking causes death or serious injury. Additionally, it would warn traffickers of potential murder charges if continued drug trafficking results in fatalities.

Kamala Harris speaks at her Presidential Campaign headquarters in Wilmington
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Del., July 22, 2024.   (Erin Schaff/Pool via Reuters)

"They enter stores to find locked-up products, reduced inventories, and shorter store hours. Stores are closing, and malls are shut down. As a result, the public is eager for change."

Opponents of Prop 47 argue that the measure has unintended consequences, such as a pipeline from prison to homelessness, with no consequences for crime and drug use, and underutilized drug treatment programs. As attorney general, Harris and her office wrote the ballot initiative descriptions that predicted a reduction in prison populations, successful truancy programs, and financial savings for the state that could be used for mental health services and K-12 education.

Kamala Harris gives speech
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, delivers remarks during Sigma Gamma Rho's 60th International Biennial Boule at the George R. Brown Convention Center July 31, 2024, in Houston. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

According to NBC, Steve Cooley, who served as the Los Angeles County district attorney from 2000 to 2012, attributed the increase in crime to Harris and the referendum.

"Cooley, a Republican candidate for attorney general, stated that the damage caused was irreparable and beyond a bait and switch, as it was fraudulent misrepresentation."

The Sacramento Bee's editorial board wrote in 2015 that if Harris was aware of the DNA issue, she could have replaced some of the language with the phrase "Will limit law enforcement's ability to collect DNA samples." If she was unaware of the DNA issue, she was not fulfilling her duties.

A former elected public safety official stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that Harris' claimed ability to combat drug and violent crime is "all hype and no substance."

The former official stated that her principle is not to take a position because she is uncertain about how it will affect her future.

She'll claim that her role was to refrain from formally accepting a position, but she had the option to do so. She opted not to because that's how she navigates through tight situations.

"Perhaps if the ballot title for Proposition 47 had been fair and balanced, Californians would have better understood the true impact on public safety and communities. Now, 10 years later, the truth has been revealed."

Kamala Harris, as a pragmatic prosecutor, successfully tackled predators, fraudsters, and cheats, including Donald Trump, during her career in law enforcement.

by Brianna Herlihy

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