LIVE: Prop 36 election results for California crime and drug trafficking measure

Proposal 36 aims to introduce tougher penalties for theft and drug trafficking in a state with a reputation for being ‘soft on crime’. If passed, some of these crimes previously classified as felonies would be recategorized as felonies, undoing Prop 47, which voters passed in 2014.

Although several progressive mayors and retailers are in favor, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Democratic Party of California are against it.

If California votes “yes,” Prop 36 would overturn Prop 47 and reclassify certain drug offenses and thefts under $950 to be classified as felonies instead of misdemeanors. It would also allow for higher prison sentences and create a new category of crime: “treatment-mandated crimes.”

According to the state, the theft of items valued at $950 or less is generally a misdemeanor, but Prop 36 would make the crime a misdemeanor if the person has two or more theft convictions in the past.

Those who oppose this claim that this would actually have the opposite effect and believe it would ultimately lead to more crime and take away money from finding victims.

Another problem that Prop 36 addresses is the “smash and grab” robberies that are rampant in Los Angeles County.

Palm Springs City Councilwoman Lisa Middleton, who is running for one of the nation’s closest Senate races, including San Bernardino And Riverside Province, Although Prop 36 is supported by law enforcement, the package does not do a good job.

“Prop has the overwhelming support of law enforcement across the state, especially my police chief and our local officers. And what they are telling us is that they need the reforms that will happen in 36 months. Especially the ability that, instead of being dictated by having a limit of $950 to be able to charge a crime, the professional thieves who know this law inside and out, who have been convicted of two arrests, can then be convicted of a crime if there is a third party It will be what law enforcement calls a wobbler, which gives prosecutors discretion as to whether or not to charge for a crime,” she explained.

Some officials said one of the goals of Prop 47 was to help control the prison population. While Gov. Newsom said he fears Prop 36 would bring back mass incarceration. Middleton said she disagreed after speaking with local prosecutors.

“They’re not trying to go in and start mass incarceration, incarceration. What they want is the discretion when dealing with individuals who have a history of committing crimes. When you see the kind of individuals who are breaking windows, smashing down doors and committing crimes over and over again, that we have the discretion to arrest and pursue these individuals,” Middleton said.

Financial consequences

It is believed that if the measure passes, the costs will be between tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of millions of dollars per year as the prison population increases.

When Prop 47 passed, the state’s savings, an estimated $95 million, would go to mental health care, drug treatment, truancy and victim services. If California voters vote for 47, these are some of the state departments that would lose funding.