By outdoor-nature-child.com Governor Newsom previously sought to block Proposition 36, which is designed to address issues of retail theft and drug abuse. A recent poll reveals that a significant 70% of residents across the five major counties in the Bay Area are in support of this measure. Many citizens are expressing their frustrations, claiming that there is too much leniency towards criminals, often attributing this to progressive Democratic officials.
A report from the San Jose Mercury News highlights findings from a survey conducted by the Bay Area News Group and the nonprofit think tank Joint Venture Silicon Valley. The survey revealed that 70% of respondents favor Proposition 36, while 20% oppose it, with the remaining 10% uncertain about their stance.
This poll surveyed over 1,650 registered voters across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties through telephone interviews. Among those participants was 66-year-old retiree Mark Leyva, a Democrat, who expressed alarm over the “brazen” thefts, particularly the coordinated retail robberies that seem to be on the rise.
Leyva pointed out that even Democratic constituents are frustrated by the image of “20 kids running into stores to steal retail goods without facing any consequences,” adding, “and then taxpayers have to foot the bill for investigations.” Supporters of Proposition 36 are pushing to tackle the issue of repeat thefts by eliminating the current $950 felony threshold for shoplifting while imposing stricter penalties for drug trafficking that contributes to the fentanyl and opioid crisis. The proposal also aims to revive drug court facilities, providing individuals arrested for specific drug possession the option to enter a court-supervised rehabilitation program or face up to three years in prison.
Larry Sekuler, a 72-year-old resident of Mountain View who identifies as independent, commented on the need for a “complete shift in thinking” about how to approach certain crimes. “California is a free state, but even those who advocate for freedom don’t want their property stolen,” Sekuler remarked. “Non-violent crimes categorized as such certainly aren’t victimless crimes. We need to empower police to enforce the law.”
Russell Hancock, CEO of Joint Venture Silicon Valley, added that the poll indicates a broad consensus among residents who believe “California should not be a place that coddles criminals.”