Governor Newsom’s Aggressive Strategy Against California Retail Crime Garners Praise in Entertainment News

Newsom has had a long-standing Real Public Safety Plan, but this new legislation will build on the original plan by creating new penalties for thieves and resellers, increasing enforcement tools, and aggregating theft amounts.

The state saw a 28.7% increase in shoplifting in 2022, commercial burglary was 15.7% higher in 2022 than it was in 2019, with the Bay Area seeing the largest increase in retail crime of any county.

These various styles of theft are greatly affecting California businesses, even leading some to close their doors forever due to such significant losses in profit.

He said in his statement that he is calling for “expanding criminal penalties to hold criminals accountable and bolstering police and prosecutor tools to combat theft and take down suspects who profit from smash and grabs, retail theft, and car burglaries.”

That means “targeting those engaged in retail theft to resell, and those that resell the stolen property” and increasing the penalties and prison times they receive when found guilty.

As well as clarifying the penal code in order to allow law enforcement to combine the value of multiple thefts. In this way, criminals will be tried for the total amount they have stolen at once, even from multiple victims, instead of being charged with several petty crimes.

Across the board, Governor Newsom wants to increase penalties and jail time for all resellers of stolen goods.

Newsom said, “Leveraging hundreds of millions of dollars in law enforcement investments, the California Highway Patrol — working with allied agencies — is increasing enforcement efforts and conducting and supporting covert and confidential takedowns to stop these criminals in their tracks during the holiday season, and year-round.”

This represents a significant 109% increase in arrests compared to the previous year, as reported by Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. 

This new bipartisan committee aims to offer a platform for discussing and identifying policy solutions to the escalating retail theft crisis. The formation of this committee signifies a collaborative effort to tackle the challenges posed by retail theft head-on.

He advocated for a safer environment for communities, stressing the importance of working alongside law enforcement to combat criminal activities effectively.

This recovery not only represents a financial win for the affected businesses but also a restoration of security and peace for shoppers and the wider community.

He expressed gratitude towards the California Highway Patrol and its partners for their relentless pursuit of justice and their role in safeguarding the state’s retail sector.

ABC 7 reports that Rachel Michelin, president of the association, highlighted the collaborative efforts, including securing $267 million in local law enforcement grants specifically allocated to combat retail theft. 

Committee members are examining whether the law’s threshold contributes to retail theft or if there’s a need for stricter enforcement of misdemeanor theft penalties.

ABC 7 reports that their collaborative effort through the 2024 legislative session represents a comprehensive approach to tackling the issue, reflecting the complexity and urgency of the retail theft crisis in California.

This ongoing work highlights the importance of sustained attention and action to address the challenges posed by retail crime, ensuring that the committee’s strategies evolve in response to the shifting landscape of retail theft.

His gratitude towards these agencies underscores the collaborative nature of the state’s approach to combating retail theft, highlighting the importance of leveraging all available resources and partnerships in this endeavor.

The state’s efforts to enhance law enforcement capabilities and strengthen partnerships with retailers reflect a comprehensive strategy to safeguard businesses and consumers from the impacts of retail theft.

By fostering an environment of cooperation and ongoing dialogue, California aims to build a comprehensive framework that not only addresses the symptoms of retail crime but also targets its root causes, ensuring a secure and thriving retail sector for the future.

AG Bonta said, “We appreciate the Governor’s leadership, and will continue working with his office and our legislative partners to eradicate organized retail crime.”

She said, “Governor Newsom’s proposed theft crimes legislative package will make our communities and businesses safer.”

He said, “California is safer when law enforcement and prosecutors have more tools to arrest suspects and hold them accountable. I look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to get this done.”

Whether or not the legislation will actually make a difference in decreasing California’s number of thefts every year is yet to be seen, but many are hopeful that it will do exactly that.

These funds were intended to create task forces, hire and train new staff, and acquire new technologies. Unfortunately, due to not meeting the application deadline, Oakland was unable to benefit from this initiative, a situation that Governor Newsom highlighted with concern, mentioning repeatedly the city’s failure to apply for the funds.

“The governor brought that up one, two, three times… He talked about the missed deadline, and then about 10 minutes later he said the same thing over, ‘We’ve made that available to you, and you didn’t file,’” Robert Harris from the Oakland NAACP told Local News Matters. 

These statistics illustrate the city’s escalating crime problem, highlighting the missed opportunity to obtain additional resources that could have helped address these challenges. 

This move was aimed at assisting local law enforcement efforts in combating the surge in thefts that led to the closure of several businesses, including a Denny’s that had been operational for 54 years and the city’s only In-N-Out Burger, marking the first time the chain has ever closed a restaurant due to crime, according to The Daily Mail.

Within a short span, from February 5 to 9, the CHP made dozens of arrests, demonstrating the state’s commitment to supporting Oakland in its fight against crime.

“I’m grateful for Governor Newsom for providing these critical law enforcement resources that are a game-changer in helping us hold more criminals accountable and make Oakland safer,” she stated on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

Locals frustrated with the deteriorating quality of life have gathered over 80,000 signatures, surpassing the 73,000 required to qualify for a recall by March, The Daily Mail reveals.

Critics argue that these policies contribute to Oakland’s spiraling crime situation, as the city grapples with a significant increase in homicides, assaults, and robberies. 

Assaults and robberies have also seen significant increases, further compounding the city’s public safety challenges. According to Neighborhood Scout, Oakland’s violent crime rate is almost four times higher than the national average, ranking it among the most dangerous cities in America.

Governor Newsom highlighted this discrepancy, stating, “As crime rates across California decrease — including right across the Bay in San Francisco — Oakland is seeing the opposite trend.” 

Mayor Thao’s acknowledgment of the governor’s support reflects the city’s commitment to making Oakland safer and holding criminals accountable. 

With the support of Governor Newsom and the proactive measures taken by Mayor Thao and the Oakland Police Department, there is a concerted effort to improve public safety and reduce crime in the city.