California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill Thursday that reinstates tough criminal penalties for those who conduct large-scale theft schemes and smash-and-grab robberies that continue to frustrate voters across the state.
Under the new law, prosecutors are required to begin imposing harsher sentences on those who damage or destroy property with a value of more than $50,000 while committing a felony.
In 2018, a similar law expired, though the new law will sunset by 2030.
“California already has some of the strictest retail and property crime laws in the nation, and we have made them even stronger with our recent legislation,” Newsom said in a statement. “We can be tough on crime while also being smart on crime. We don’t need to go back to broken policies of the last century.”
SACRAMENTO CITY ATTORNEY REPORTEDLY THREATENED TO FINE TARGET STORE FOR REPORTING THEFT CRIMES
Newsom’s decision to bring back tough penalties comes as Democratic lawmakers try to convince voters they are tough on crime. At the same time, the same lawmakers are working to convince voters to reject a ballot measure that would bring even harsher sentences for repeat offenders on shoplifting and drug charges.
In California, shoplifting has been a