Antioch Councilmember Defends Proposition 47

On Tuesday, the debate over Proposition 47 impacts became local during the Antioch City Council Meeting when Mayor Pro Tem Tamisha Torres-Walker defended Prop 47.

Proposition 47 (Prop 47) was a ballot measure passed by California voters on November 5, 2014. The law made some non-violent property crimes, where the value does not exceed $950, into misdemeanors. It also made some simple drug possession offenses into misdemeanors. It also provides that past convictions for these charges may be reduced to a misdemeanor by a court. Under Prop 47, you may qualify for a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor for some of the following offenses:

Torres-Walker thanked those who supported it, passed it and say its needed.

“I want to thank every Californian who voted for Prop 47 and every organizer on the ground who organized to pass Prop 47 and also want to say congratulations to every formally incarcerated convicted individual in the State of California who benefited from reclassification as a result of Prop 47. We need to protect this type of policy in our state if we want people to continue to have second chances,” stated Walker.

The comments came after Councilmember Lori Ogorchock provided information to the council on AB 1708 (Murtasuchi) which addresses serial theft.

According to the bill, if approved by the legislator, it would be placed on a statewide ballot requiring approval by the voters. The bill would require a person convicted of petty theft or shoplifting, if the person has 2 or more prior convictions for specified theft-related offenses, to be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or for 16 months, or 2 or 3 years.

On March 8,  the California State Assembly Public Safety Committee pushed forward a bill that could  ultimately begin addressing issues around Proposition 47.  Calling Proposition 47 a “failed experiment”, Assemblyman Juan Alanis introduced AB 335 which would repeal Prop 47 in an effort to help reduce crime and improve public safety. The bill had exceptions for cannabis-related language. However, Alanis amended the bill. The new version of the bill would ask the Little Hoover Commission to conduct a nonpartisan and in-depth study about the effects of Proposition 47 has had on California, especially concerning the impacts of retail thefts across the state.

Assemblymember Mia Bonta stated despite the witness testimony, called Alanis on the “right track” with this bill amendment to make them look at the data to be informed.

“I will be supporting this bill in concurrence with the intention to have us be data informed around organized retail theft, certainly an issue of concern in my district as well. I caution you in moving forward that the witnesses you bring forward actually are speaking to the nature of your legislation and not beyond the scope of it,” stated Bonta.

Chair Sawyer-Jones highlighted the war of words with Prop 47 and Prop 57. He also highlighted the difference between Walmart closing stores because of retail theft and Walgreens say its all “poopoo” and questioned how two big groups come with two different ideas of what is going on.

Chair Assemblymember Sawyer-Jones

“So what the author and I talked about is lets get some answers because I am going to push back on your witnesses. I need to find out if this is passive policing or is this District Attorney who are derelict in their duties to prosecute. Or is it judges not meddling out justice and the deliberate attempt to sabotage Prop 47 and Prop 57 by letting this get out of hand,” asked Sawyer-Jones. “That is what is irritating me. I went out of my way to put in an organized retail theft that nobody is picking up and doing.”

He continued by stating he believed if people would have effectively implemented his bill and work with the California Highway Patrol, they would not be having this conversation.

“I do believe the Hoover Commission will shine a light, we will actually know what is going on. Otherwise, your side is going to say prop 47 is not working, my side is going to say it is. But we are going to keep going back and forth that crime is up, crime is down,” said Sawyer-Jones. “Lets find out truly what we need to do to move this forward. I think the Little Hoover Commission will be impartial enough to both our sides, a reality check of what is really happening with shoplifting, smash and grab and organized retail theft front. We honestly need that right now.”

The committee approved AB 335 in an 8-0 vote. (watch the committee meeting)

AB 335  now heads to the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.

Antioch Crime Data