Law enforcement officials are praising voters for passing Proposition 36 by a wide margin on Election Day, which increases penalties for those convicted of certain theft and drug-related crimes.
The measure makes shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders and increases penalties for some drug charges, including those involving the synthetic opioid fentanyl.
“The thing that’s going to be different now after the passage of Proposition 36 is that someone with two prior thefts is going to be prosecuted as a felony,” said Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin at a news conference in Riverside.
“Currently, under current law, someone with 100 prior thefts can only be charged with a misdemeanor.”
The measure will also give judges the authority to order people with multiple drug charges to get treatment.
Some store owners are backing proposition on the November ballot that would make those type of crimes felonies.
“I think it sends a strong message that people are just fed up,” said Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez. “You have business owners who are leaving our city. I hate hearing that, when they can’t afford to replace the windows on their business because they just can’t do it.”