Prop 36 takes effect, promising law and order to California after voters’ overwhelming approval

The voter-approved Proposition 36 has gone into effect in California, increasing punishments for certain theft and drug crimes, as well as repeat offenders.

Prop 36 passed with a resounding 68% of the vote in November, demonstrating California citizens’ desire for law and order.

The measure, which took effect Wednesday, allows some theft and drug crimes to be prosecuted as felonies instead of misdemeanors, permits lengthening of felony sentences, and enables drug dealers to be charged with murder if their product kills someone.

While some of California’s elite opposed the measure, it was largely supported by law enforcement and business owners.

“It was a loss to all these businesses around here; there was nothing we could do, so I’m glad it passed,” Roman Gonzalez, a businessman in Fresno, told local media. 

Last November, Gonzalez’s business was targeted, and thousands of dollars of goods were stolen. 

“To this day, the thieves have not been found,” he said. “Hopefully, they get caught, and they end up getting prosecuted for the crime that they did.”  

Fresno District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp added Prop 36 received bipartisan support in the deep-blue state.  

“It’s a big statement to say that people of all walks of life, both parties, backgrounds, people are tired of it,” she said. “It’s time to have both criminals who are choosing to participate in theft and drug use, it’s time to have some accountability under the law.”  

However, Gov. Gavin Newsom opposed Prop 36, claiming it would cut back on rehabilitative resources. 

“Prop. 36 takes us back to the 1980s, mass incarceration; it promotes a promise that can’t be delivered,” the governor said prior to the election. “I would ask those who support it, particularly mayors: Where are the treatment slots, where are the beds? Twenty-two counties don’t have one residential treatment facility. Twenty-two counties don’t have one. I mean, they’re lying to you.” 

However, former California Gov. Jerry Brown viewed Prop 36’s passage as a bipartisan referendum on lawlessness. 

“They want shoplifting punished. They want drug use, particularly when they can see it, stopped,” Brown told the media. “And I think that’s the meaning of 36, whether you’re a Democrat or a Republican or somewhere in between. That’s the way people want it.” 

Now that Prop 36 has officially taken effect, California prosecutors are primed to ramp up enforcement. 

“We will hold people accountable under Proposition 36,” said Sacramento District Attorney Thien Ho. “We have more tools as prosecutors to hold retail thieves accountable. We have more tools to get addicts off the streets.” 

And Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper dismissed the idea that people are committing these crimes out of desperation.  

“A lot of folks are doing it because, ‘Hey there’s no accountability. I’m not going to get in trouble,’” Cooper explained. “If people need help, we’re going to get them help.  

“But if you’re out there stealing because you can, we’re going to deal with you.”