I have been recounting the increasing lawlessness in California after voters were misled by the falsely labeled “Californians for Safe Neighborhoods and Schools Act” (aka Proposition 47) that substantially weakened penalties for theft.
As a result, “smash-and-grab” robberies have been reported all across the state, and voters are poised to consider amending Proposition 47 via a new ballot measure.
As I noted in a previous post, Newsom appears to be beefing up his policy portfolio, which is short on wins, ahead of the 2028 presidential election. So, he recently signed ten bills into law that aim to crack down on retail, auto, and property theft.
“Let’s be clear: this is the most significant legislation to address property crime in modern California history. I thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers, our retail partners, and advocates for putting public safety over politics,” Newsom said during a Friday morning news conference. “While some try to take us back to ineffective and costly policies of the past, these new laws present a better way forward — making our communities safer and providing meaningful tools to help law enforcement arrest criminals and hold them accountable.”Newsom signed the new laws after he called on lawmakers to address rising retail thefts across the state. This move also comes as Democrats in the state continue to determine how to respond to the increasing public concern about theft.
This is the anti-crime extravaganza Newsom is touting:
However, it may be too little, too late. Shortly after the ink was dry on this new rule, a California bike mob ransacked three separate 7-Eleven stores in under 20 minutes.
Approximately 20 bicycling riding thieves targeted the Hollywood area convenience stores two miles apart on Friday night, according to NBC Los Angeles, citing the LAPD.The brazen bunch broke into each store and stole food and drink items beginning with the 7-Eleven located at 7040 West Sunset Boulevard just after 8 p.m.The store was left with a broken window.An employee at a second store near Hollywood Blvd and Highland Ave. was allegedly assaulted around 8:16 p.m., the outlet reported.
Convenience stores aren’t the only target. Legos have emerged as the latest hot ticket item for California theft rings.
Two suspects have allegedly stolen more than $100,000 worth of Lego merchandise from six different Southern California stores over the last two months, the L.A. Times reported. One store owner, Whittier resident Katie Leuschner, told the paper that the thieves took approximately $10,000 of product from her store.Leuschner noted that while she and her husband had seen shoplifters pocket mini figurines before, she was caught off-guard by the smash-and-grab conducted by the two suspects back in May. Reportedly, one broke through the glass door during the early hours with a trash bag to steal mini-figures while the second acted as the getaway driver.
Despite these developments, there is still hope.
Katy Grimes, Editor-in-Chief of the California Globe, notes that the new ballot measure amending the failed Proposition 47 (California Proposition 36, the Increase Drug and Theft Penalties and Reduce Homelessness Initiative) has solid support across the state.
Proposition 36 is the comprehensive and compassionate solution California needs. It directly tackles these challenges with strong incentives for drug treatment, which will reduce homelessness and provide our communities and small businesses with the accountability and consequences necessary to curb repeat offenders. This is why Proposition 36 has strong bipartisan support—it is the real change California needs.”Today, a new poll was released by the Los Angeles Times//UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies showed wide support with a greater than two to one margin, 56% to 23%. Of the support, Proposition 36 was supported by moderates at 66%, conservative voters at 69-70%, and somewhat liberal voters support Prop 36 at 49%.
This measure is likely to impact crime. Therefore, Newsom’s 10-bill move is a play to stuff some of that success into his policy portfolio.
But we will all know the truth.
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