Newsom Unveils Proposal To Crack Down On Crime In CA

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to dedicate more than $300 million toward crime-fighting efforts across the state in his budget proposal next year, officials announced Friday.

The proposed allocation would fund $255 million in grants for law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate crime, make arrests and hold thieves to account. Newsom also seeks to help small-business owners affected by retail theft and to crack down on drug activity at the border and sales of illegal "ghost" guns and assault weapons.

“We’re doubling down on our public safety investments and partnerships with law enforcement officials up and down the state to ensure Californians and small businesses feel safe in their communities – a fundamental need we all share,” Newsom said in a statement.

Newsom unveiled the proposal at the California Highway Patrol's office in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Dublin, flanked by some of the state's top law enforcement officials.

He acknowledged Californians' concern about recent high-profile organized retail thefts and said they were an "issue that needs to be addressed more forcefully."

Newsom denied criticisms that these trends were spurred by criminal justice voter initiatives in recent years, including the controversial Proposition 47 to reduce penalties for some property and drug offenses. The Public Policy Institute of California found crime rates in four of California's biggest cities saw a jump during the pandemic but that the property crime rate saw a historic low in 2020 and violent crime was also fairly low, akin to 1960s levels.

"We're not walking back on our commitment in this state to advance comprehensive reforms. ... We're not walking back as it relates to the rules and regulations established by the voters and others that I believe are sound and right," Newsom said during the press conference. "But we also have to recognize ... people's fears and anxieties. I can regale you with facts ... . Stats mean nothing in terms of your feelings."

The proposed funding package would address the following matters, according to Newsom.

• $255 million in grants to help local law enforcement agencies in efforts to investigate crime and make arrests. Newsom believes this grant effort is the first of its kind in California.
• $30 million in grants over the next three years for district attorney offices to advance investigatory and prosecutorial efforts related to retail, car and rail theft-related crimes.
• $20 million to support the National Guard's efforts to intercept fentanyl and drugs brought across the border and into California.
• $18 million over the next three years to create a team of prosecutors and investigators in the Attorney General's office to focus on cross-jursidictinal theft crime rings.
• Establish a small business grant program for businesses impacted by retail crimes.
• Create the largest gun buyback program in America by working with local law enforcement agencies.

Funding would also be used to target human trafficking and gangs through anti-crime task forces led by the Attorney General.

The announcement came as liberal California leaders increasingly adopted tough-on-crime rhetoric, as CalMatters reported.

California Highway Patrol Commissioner Amanda Ray said the funding will allow her department to expand its organized retail crime task forces to the Central Valley and Sacramento area. CHP currently operates task forces in Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area that work with local law enforcement agencies and provide investigative support.

The task forces were initiated last summer and have contributed to 800 investigations, 300 arrests and the recovery of $19 million in stolen merchandise in recent months, she said.

"It is really going to go a long ways," she said.

Ray encouraged anyone who has information about retail thefts or witnesses activity to call 911 and not try to intervene.

Attorney General Rob Bonta said public safety is the government's most important job. Safety is "fundamental and foundational" to Californian communities, he said.

"This plan is the real deal," Bonta said.

See a detailed breakdown of Newsom's plan.

See also:

• LAPD Beefs Up Patrols With District Funds Amid Rash Of Robberies
• Brazen 'Mass-Mob' NorCal Burglaries Trigger Increased Patrols
• Walnut Creek Nordstrom Looted: Police Announce 4th Arrest

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  Watch the press conference: