San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus joined state and city officials in Sacramento to support a proposed bill that would create harsher penalties for retail theft crimes.
On Monday, a press conference was held to discuss Assembly Bill 1772, which would require jail time for three-peat offenders of theft crime.
If the bill is passed, penalties for crime theft could range from one to three years. The bill seeks to change Proposition 47, a policy passed by voters in 2014 that classified thefts under $950 as a misdemeanor.
Being held accountable
Right now, punishments for simple crime thefts under $950 can include up to six months in jail, according to state law. Any thefts above that limit are already considered a felony.
The bill would not change the limit.
Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra told the Daily Press Tuesday that she supports the passing of AB 1772.
“When you can walk out of Costco with an $885 TV and nothing happens to you, then you know something is wrong with society,” Becerra said. “It’s all about being held accountable for your actions.”