Certain 2024 election results in California took many by surprise.Â
The residents of California recently opposed another term for George Gascón, the District Attorney of progressive Los Angeles County, who was supported by billionaire George Soros.
They also supported Proposition 36, the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act, with a majority of over 70%. This act aims to modify aspects of Proposition 47 from 2014 by increasing penalties for specific crimes. As of December 18, the new proposition permits the filing of felony charges against individuals in possession of certain drugs or those involved in thefts under $950. Moreover, individuals accused of these offenses might face longer jail time.
Essentially, this ballot measure is designed to address specific minor felonies that had previously been classified as misdemeanors under Proposition 47, escaping without any or with minimal punishment.
“I favor anything that will help reduce crime, but I also worry about the kind of society we are building. Higher prison populations can lead to overcrowding,” he said. “We can’t keep a certain number of individuals above ground in a certain amount of space without a serious potentially toxic allocation of local resources — the kind of allocation that redirects funds from essential community services… straight to the penal institution.”
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency on homelessness as her first act as mayor in December 2022. (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)
The business executive noted that the overwhelming support for Prop 36 from voters “speaks to the abundant public sentiment around crime and the perceived lack of adequate safety measures.”Â
“I’ve discussed the issue with storefront acquaintances who’ve had the same unfortunate brush with criminality that I have. When you get right down to it, business in the state feels vulnerable. Meeting that vulnerability with a sense of law is what Prop 36 is all about,” Seyun said.
