Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County, California, is leading an effort to reverse Proposition 47, a 2012 ballot measure that he believes has led to an increase in homelessness and crime in the state. Bianco claims that the passage of Prop 47 has had a direct correlation with various public safety issues, such as retail theft and narcotics possession. He argues that voters were misled about the impact of the measure and that it has contributed to the current crisis in California.
Bianco is advocating for a new ballot measure, called the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which aims to reverse the changes made by Prop 47. The proposed measure would increase penalties for narcotics possession, allow judges to recommend rehab for substance abuse, and crack down on serial thefts by combining the value of multiple offenses. Bianco believes that without consequences, there is no incentive for individuals to change their behavior, and it is essential to address the root causes of crime and addiction.
Governor Gavin Newsom has expressed opposition to changing Prop 47, arguing that the issue does not need to be sent back to voters in November. He has proposed addressing crime through other means and has stated that amending Prop 47 is unnecessary. However, Bianco criticizes Newsom for failing to acknowledge the negative impact of Prop 47 and believes that the governor’s response reflects a lack of leadership in addressing the state’s crime crisis.
Bianco refutes the idea that new legislation or tweaks by officials in Sacramento can solve the issues created by Prop 47. He argues that any changes must be approved by voters through a ballot measure, as the original measure was a voter initiative. He contends that politicians who support Prop 47 are only trying to appease voters with hollow promises of reform, and a more substantial change is needed to address the underlying problems.
Despite Newsom’s opposition, some Democrats in California, such as San Francisco Mayor London Breed, support altering Prop 47. They believe that targeted changes to the law, particularly concerning fentanyl and retail theft, could make a positive impact on public safety. Polling data indicates that the majority of Californians also support changes to Prop 47, reflecting a growing concern among voters about the state’s crime and homelessness crisis.
Organizers are currently gathering signatures for the proposed ballot measure to reverse Prop 47. Bianco is optimistic that the measure will be on the ballot and believes that without significant changes, California’s crime situation will continue to deteriorate. He argues that the state needs to address the root causes of crime, such as addiction and theft, in order to create a safer environment for residents and businesses.
