Gov. Newsom signs bill to reinstate severe penalties for smash-and-grab burglaries in California.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday that reinstates strict criminal penalties for those involved in large-scale theft schemes and smash-and-grab robberies, which have been a source of frustration for voters across the state.

Under the new law, those who commit a felony and damage or destroy property worth more than $50,000 will face harsher sentences.

Though the new law will expire by 2030, a similar law expired in 2018.

""We have strengthened our retail and property crime laws in California, which already have some of the strictest laws in the nation, and we are committed to being tough on crime while being smart about it," Newsom stated."

Democratic lawmakers are trying to convince voters that they are tough on crime while simultaneously working to reject a ballot measure that would bring even harsher sentences for repeat offenders on shoplifting and drug charges.

Across the country, large-scale smash-and-grab thefts have become a crisis, with shoplifting being a growing problem, particularly in California.

Retail thefts committed by groups who quickly grab merchandise from stores are often caught on video and shared on social media, highlighting the issue of smash-and-grab thefts in the state.

The legislative package, comprising approximately a dozen bills, is aimed at reducing thefts. The bills include measures to enhance the ability of prosecutors to pursue repeat shoplifters and auto thieves, as well as increasing penalties for those involved in professional reselling schemes.

"The sledgehammer crimes and flash-mob attacks by organized gangs must cease immediately," Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas stated in a press release. "Our business owners and employees should not be terrorized by these crimes."

The new penalties will discourage "smash-and-grabs" and retail crime, as stated by the California Retailers Association, who also supports the measure.

Public defenders and criminal justice advocates, who are opponents of the bill, argue that the new legislation will lead to an increase in the number of people incarcerated for non-retail theft offenses.

Under the proposed bill, a harsher sentence could be imposed on a person who damages vehicles while driving under the influence.

Democratic legislators and Newsom spent months opposing a proposed tougher-on-crime ballot initiative, but ultimately failed to prevent it from being added to the ballot.

"Why are we not opposed to the new law being temporary if we are opposed to it being permanent? Taina Vargas, executive director of Initiate Justice Action, stated this to the wire service about the new law. It seems that certain individuals in the Legislature and the governor only want to give the appearance of taking action."

The administration of Newsom has allocated $267 million to enhance the operations of local law enforcement agencies by increasing patrols, acquiring surveillance equipment, and intensifying criminal prosecutions.

In the first six months of the operation, 6,900 individuals have been arrested for retail theft offenses by law enforcement throughout the state, according to Newsom's office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.