SACRAMENTO – 78% of California voters surveyed in a UC – Berkley poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times say they think crime has risen statewide over the last year.
Many respondents support tough-on-crime reforms, and a 2 to 1 support for reforming Prop 47 – the ballot measure which voters passed in 2014, that decreased punishments for theft and drug crimes to misdemeanors including shoplifting, forgery and drug possession.
Assemblyman Jim Patterson says the poll shows voters believe crime has risen statewide, and Prop 47 needs to change.
Patterson is one of a number of arguing crime is surging because of Proposition 47 has emboldened criminals.
The UC – Berkley/L.A. Times poll said a majority believe the California Gov. Gavin Newsom has done “poor” or “very poor” in his response to the crime crisis.
The Democrat governor of California has faced criticism over his handling of the alleged surging crime. In November, approximately 80 people ransacked a Bay Area Nordstrom and stole merchandise.
Newsom has proposed money in his budget to fight crime.
A study from the California Policy Lab in December showed “Exits to other states increased in most California regions since the pandemic began.” California numbers show more residents fleeing the state than entering it, coinciding with the state’s alleged rise in crime.
Highlights from the UC Berkeley/Los Angeles Times poll
- 78% believe crime has risen statewide over the last year
- 65% said crime has increased locally
- 59% support changing Prop. 47 to let certain property crimes be prosecuted again as felonies
- 30% favor leaving the law unchanged
Multiple bills have been proposed by both California Republicans and Democrats to amend the state’s Proposition 47.
Patterson and his colleagues have introduced AB 1599 to repeal Proposition 47.
The bill would return the threshold for felony theft back to $400 instead of the current $950.
It would also return numerous drug crimes back to felony status.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
