Shoplifting and Drug Crimes Get Tougher Penalties in CA

Let's talk about what's happening in California. Voters there just agreed on Proposition 36, which means repeat shoplifters and drug offenders could face tougher penalties. This changes a law from 2014 that made nonviolent crimes less severe. Cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco saw shoplifting go up from 2021 to 2022, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. So, lawmakers have been trying to tackle this by signing new laws.In September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill making property damage worth over $50, 000 during felonies, like retail theft, a big deal. He said California already has strict rules for retail and property crimes, and this makes them even stronger. He also said they can be tough on crime but also smart about it, without going back to old, broken policies.