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Now you have none of the above and higher crime rates
Posted on: December 16, 2016 at 14:53:47 CT
Spanky KU
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http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/15/police-blame-sentencing-overhaul-for-increase-in-california-crime.html
California communities may be feeling the fallout from a controversial measure that reduced penalties for a range of crimes, as law enforcement report an uptick in everything from robberies to auto theft – and point the finger squarely at what’s known as Prop 47.
The measure was approved at the ballot box in 2014 and downgraded many nonviolent offenses like property crimes and simple drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, part of an effort to reduce prison over-crowding in the state.
But as the measure has been implemented, several police departments have reported a spike in shop-lifting and auto theft, among other crimes, and in part blame Prop 47.
"In the past year and a half, we've seen an increase in theft-related crimes, including robbery, burglary, and identity theft," said Sgt. Tasha Descosta, with the Hayward Police Department.
Since the law went into effect, major cities have seen an increase in more serious crimes as well.
Recent press reports show that in San Francisco, robberies are up 23 percent; in Los Angeles, violent crimes are up 20 percent; and in Sacramento, homicides are up 23 percent.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/drug-716491-california-prop.html
Crime rates more than doubled in California’s major cities in the first half of 2015, and violent crime rose by double digits. Recently released FBI data confirm what law enforcement leaders have been saying for months: After decades of decline, crime is on the rise in California.
Of particular concern, even as crime was surging in California, it was going down or stable in most major U.S. cities. In fact, of the 10 major American cities that saw the biggest increases in property crime rates, six are in California.
What can explain this California crime surge? While it is difficult to know for sure, law enforcement experts throughout the state increasingly point to Proposition 47, the controversial ballot initiative passed in November 2014 that reduced many property and drug crimes from felonies – punishable by more than one year in prison – to misdemeanors.
Prop. 47 was intended to reduce sentences and increase investments in drug treatment for low-level offenders, particularly those with drug addiction. This is a worthy goal. California spends a whopping $10 billion on prisons. A substantial amount of that money is spent incarcerating people who commit nonviolent, low-level offenses, often to support their drug addiction.
Increasing evidence from around the country shows that drug treatment and rehabilitation services provide a better return on investment than cycling such people in and out of prison.
Unfortunately, Prop. 47 has not been working as planned. For one, the measure generally does not take into consideration a person’s criminal record. So dangerous people with violent records have been let out early to commit more crimes.
The measure also reduces sentences for gun thefts and possession of date-rape drugs, while also reducing access to drug courts. So people struggling with drug addiction have been unable to obtain treatment. And the measure has failed to yield promised investments in rehabilitation and treatment.
The good news is that the Legislature can address these problems, not by repealing Prop. 47, but by amending it. We call on the Legislature to pass four reforms to Prop. 47.
First, restore felony status to repeat offenders. Under Prop. 47, no matter how many times a person commits theft, so long as he steals less than $1,000 worth of property each time, he cannot be charged with a felony.
Second, restore felony status to gun thefts and possession of date-rape drugs. These crimes are nonviolent in name only. In reality, gun thefts facilitate gun violence. And the only reason to possess a date-rape drug is to commit date rape.
Third, restore access to, and incentives for, drug treatment. Before Prop. 47, many people charged with drug offenses went to drug courts, where they could have their charges reduced or even dropped if they completed drug treatment. But many drug courts accept only those charged with felonies.
Fourth, deliver on Prop. 47’s promise of increased investments in evidence-based rehabilitation and treatment programs. Advocates of Prop. 47 estimated it would save up to $250 million each year in reduced prison costs. But spending on prisons has gone down less than $30 million. Promised investments in rehabilitation and treatment have not materialized. The Legislature must follow through on the promise to invest in targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation and treatment programs.
California needs to be smart on crime. That means we need to use data and common sense to identify those who are truly dangerous criminals and make sure they are unable to prey on our communities. And it also means we need to identify those who simply need help to get their lives back on track and make sure they get that help. This should not be a partisan issue. We call on the California Legislature to reform Prop. 47 in 2016.
California communities may be feeling the fallout from a controversial measure that reduced penalties for a range of crimes, as law enforcement report an uptick in everything from robberies to auto theft – and point the finger squarely at what’s known as Prop 47.
The measure was approved at the ballot box in 2014 and downgraded many nonviolent offenses like property crimes and simple drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, part of an effort to reduce prison over-crowding in the state.
But as the measure has been implemented, several police departments have reported a spike in shop-lifting and auto theft, among other crimes, and in part blame Prop 47.
"In the past year and a half, we've seen an increase in theft-related crimes, including robbery, burglary, and identity theft," said Sgt. Tasha Descosta, with the Hayward Police Department.
Since the law went into effect, major cities have seen an increase in more serious crimes as well.
Recent press reports show that in San Francisco, robberies are up 23 percent; in Los Angeles, violent crimes are up 20 percent; and in Sacramento, homicides are up 23 percent.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/drug-716491-california-prop.html
Crime rates more than doubled in California’s major cities in the first half of 2015, and violent crime rose by double digits. Recently released FBI data confirm what law enforcement leaders have been saying for months: After decades of decline, crime is on the rise in California.
Of particular concern, even as crime was surging in California, it was going down or stable in most major U.S. cities. In fact, of the 10 major American cities that saw the biggest increases in property crime rates, six are in California.
What can explain this California crime surge? While it is difficult to know for sure, law enforcement experts throughout the state increasingly point to Proposition 47, the controversial ballot initiative passed in November 2014 that reduced many property and drug crimes from felonies – punishable by more than one year in prison – to misdemeanors.
Prop. 47 was intended to reduce sentences and increase investments in drug treatment for low-level offenders, particularly those with drug addiction. This is a worthy goal. California spends a whopping $10 billion on prisons. A substantial amount of that money is spent incarcerating people who commit nonviolent, low-level offenses, often to support their drug addiction.
Increasing evidence from around the country shows that drug treatment and rehabilitation services provide a better return on investment than cycling such people in and out of prison.
Unfortunately, Prop. 47 has not been working as planned. For one, the measure generally does not take into consideration a person’s criminal record. So dangerous people with violent records have been let out early to commit more crimes.
The measure also reduces sentences for gun thefts and possession of date-rape drugs, while also reducing access to drug courts. So people struggling with drug addiction have been unable to obtain treatment. And the measure has failed to yield promised investments in rehabilitation and treatment.
The good news is that the Legislature can address these problems, not by repealing Prop. 47, but by amending it. We call on the Legislature to pass four reforms to Prop. 47.
First, restore felony status to repeat offenders. Under Prop. 47, no matter how many times a person commits theft, so long as he steals less than $1,000 worth of property each time, he cannot be charged with a felony.
Second, restore felony status to gun thefts and possession of date-rape drugs. These crimes are nonviolent in name only. In reality, gun thefts facilitate gun violence. And the only reason to possess a date-rape drug is to commit date rape.
Third, restore access to, and incentives for, drug treatment. Before Prop. 47, many people charged with drug offenses went to drug courts, where they could have their charges reduced or even dropped if they completed drug treatment. But many drug courts accept only those charged with felonies.
Fourth, deliver on Prop. 47’s promise of increased investments in evidence-based rehabilitation and treatment programs. Advocates of Prop. 47 estimated it would save up to $250 million each year in reduced prison costs. But spending on prisons has gone down less than $30 million. Promised investments in rehabilitation and treatment have not materialized. The Legislature must follow through on the promise to invest in targeted, evidence-based rehabilitation and treatment programs.
California needs to be smart on crime. That means we need to use data and common sense to identify those who are truly dangerous criminals and make sure they are unable to prey on our communities. And it also means we need to identify those who simply need help to get their lives back on track and make sure they get that help. This should not be a partisan issue. We call on the California Legislature to reform Prop. 47 in 2016.
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Now you have none of the above and higher crime rates - Spanky KU - 12/16 14:53:47