Los Angeles, California – Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman is sending a clear message to would-be criminals: the days of leniency are over.
In a video posted to his official X account on Sunday, Hochman stood at the border of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties, declaring that criminals once emboldened by lax enforcement in LA County will now face serious consequences. “The fun is over. A new DA was elected,” Hochman said. “And criminals in LA County will now be prosecuted and held fully accountable for their illegal actions.”
Hochman’s comments come just months after voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 36 in November, a measure that reclassifies certain shoplifting crimes as felonies to combat surging retail theft. The DA hailed the early results of the law, citing over 1,000 arrests under the new statute since December 18. “Is it working? The answer is yes,” Hochman said at a May 14 press conference. “Proposition 36 is already making a difference.”…