No in the Prop 36 campaign says it is fraud, while the Yes campaign calls for consequences

In the final days of the 2024 campaign, those opposed Proposal 36 gathered in downtown Los Angeles Thursday morning to voice their disapproval of the proposal, while supporters say they want consequences.

Proposition 36 would allow misdemeanor charges for possession of certain drugs and for thefts under $950 if the suspect has two prior drug or theft convictions.

If passed, it would mean people convicted of certain drug or theft crimes could face harsher penalties, such as longer prison terms. In certain cases, people found to possess illegal drugs would have to complete treatment or serve up to three years in prison.

Those opposed say it is a fraud that will set us back. Prop 36 would essentially unwind Prop 47, which was passed a decade ago and made some theft and drug offenses instead of felonies.

“Proposition 36 will eliminate billions of dollars in funding that would otherwise have gone to crime prevention and harm prevention services,” said LaNaisha Edwards of the group Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice. “Services such as drug and mental health services, trauma recovery centers for victims and re-entry services for people coming home in need of stability and opportunity.”

Supporters of Prop 36 are calling it a reform, not a repeal, of Prop 47, and there are many Democratic mayors across the state and Democrats running for Congress.

Los Angeles City Councilmember EUnisses Hernandez is urging voters to vote no because she says Prop 36 will lead to mass incarceration.

“If you are serious about tackling crime, you are going to invest in tackling crime. This initiative here is a corporate-driven imitation that they’ve been promoting since Prop 47 was passed and many of our Democrats are Democrats. but they are moderate Democrats, corporate Democrats who are tied to the success of these companies,” said Hernandez.

Supporters of Prop 36 say offenders will be able to make a decision about treatment and prison time and that if they choose prison, they will not be able to use drugs while incarcerated. But drugs continue to enter prisons. Only this week, seven prisoners were hospitalized after a possible drug exposure incident.

But former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Rick Caruso, who is running ads urging a yes vote, tells Eyewitness News that we must have consequences for drug crimes and shoplifting or the same people will continue to commit these crimes.

“There are two things that people feel. One is that they see there is more crime around them and two is that they feel unsafe. So what you have on the ballot with Prop 36 is an opportunity to change that Caruso said.

“A cornerstone of good governance is to try something and if it doesn’t work, turn it around and try to put it right. This is done by holding serial criminals accountable,” he added.