California leaders praise new nation-leading laws to crack down on crime

News

Aug 22, 2024

What you need to know: California's local elected leaders, business representatives, and law enforcement officials expressed strong support for California's new laws cracking down on retail crime and property theft. Last week, Governor Newsom signed legislation, which is the most significant bipartisan legislation in California history to crack down on property crime.

Business and retail groups

Rachel Michelin, President and CEO of the California Retailers Association: "Cal Retailers applauds the Governor for continuing to lead on the issue of Organized Retail Crime and working collaboratively with retailers on legislative proposals that provide real, tangible solutions to serial theft and Organized Retail Crime in California and prioritizing the safety of our consumers, employees, jobs and economy. Newsom's legislative package addressing ORC and property crimes announced today is yet another huge step in the right direction on tackling this problem. I and the members of the California Retailers Association appreciate that the Governor and his team listened to our concerns related to ORC/Retail theft and we look forward to continuing to work with the Administration, the Speaker of the Assembly, President pro Tem and members of the legislature on important policies that protect California's retail employees, our customers and the neighborhoods in which retailers operate in."

Ronald Fong, President and CEO of the California Grocers Association: "Thanks to the leadership of Governor Newsom and legislative leaders, California has taken a significant step forward in combatting the retail theft that has become all too common in our grocery stores and communities. This bill package makes our customers and employees safer by giving law enforcement new tools to deter retail theft. We look forward to partnering with the Governor and Legislature as California continues its fight against rampant retail theft."

Tracy Hernandez, CEO of BizFed & New California Coalition: "There's no easy fix for tough problems. We applaud the hard work of business, labor, law enforcement, and civic leaders who leaned in together to advance landmark legislation signed by Governor Gavin Newsom that holistically addresses retail crime and property theft with stronger enforcement and serious penalties. Businesses will thrive in a safer California, creating better opportunities and healthier communities for all Californians."

Rodney Fong, President and CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: "Governor Newsom's commitment to cracking down on retail crime and property theft is a significant step forward for our communities and businesses. These new laws provide crucial tools to protect local retailers, ensure public safety, and reinforce California's stance against organized crime. The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce applauds this bipartisan effort to create a safer environment for our businesses and residents, and we look forward to continuing our work with state and local leaders to uphold these important measures."

Leah Toeniskoetter, President and CEO of the San Jose Chamber of Commerce: "The San Jose Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the Governor's actions to address retail theft across the state. Retail theft is a serious issue that not only impacts the bottom line for large and small businesses but also threatens jobs, our sense of security and the economic vitality of our community. This new legislation is a positive step toward addressing these challenges, and we look forward to working with law enforcement and local businesses to ensure its effective implementation."

Maria Salinas, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce: "The Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce commends Governor Newsom and the California Legislature for taking decisive action to address retail crime and property theft. This legislative package is crucial for protecting employees, retailers, and communities and will have a meaningful impact."

Jerry Sanders, President and CEO of the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce (Former San Diego Mayor and Police Chief): "The San Diego Regional Chamber applauds Governor Newsom and the bipartisan group of legislators for delivering substantial new laws to combat retail theft, one of California's most pressing public safety concerns. The Chamber is supportive of meaningful action that addresses retail theft and organized crime. We must be able to hold perpetrators of these crimes accountable to ensure our businesses can thrive, our employees can feel safe at work, and residents and patrons can feel safe when visiting the many businesses that make the San Diego region, and ultimately California, economic forces."

Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance: "Retail theft has long been a challenge, not just in San Francisco but across many urban centers. It demands our collective efforts to protect businesses, both small and large , employees, and community members. This concern is paramount to the health and continued recovery of our urban downtown districts in California and is echoed by voters and constituents alike. We are grateful to the Governor for taking necessary steps in the right direction to hold individuals accountable to foster a safe and thriving community for all."

Luis Portillo, President & CEO of the San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership: "The San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership is grateful to Governor Newsom and legislative leaders for their dedication to holding criminals accountable. By working with stakeholders to find pragmatic solutions, our leaders have demonstrated their commitment to making our communities safer and helping our businesses grow."

Law enforcement officials

Sheriff Robert G. Luna, Los Angeles County: "This welcomed legislative package targeting retail crime and property theft effectively provides law enforcement crucial tools to hold habitual offenders accountable, especially those who undermine businesses through repeated theft. I support implementing stricter penalties for those who perpetuate the cycle of victimization in our communities. I want to extend my gratitude to Governor Newsom and the bipartisan legislators for their leadership and dedication to protecting our communities and reinforcing a sense of security for crime victims."

Sheriff Bob Jonsen, Santa Clara County: "Governor Newsom's signing of these bills demonstrates a commitment to public safety by providing tougher penalties for repeat offenders. It sends a clear message that criminal behavior associated with retail theft will not be tolerated. The fact that these bills received bipartisan support emphasizes the vital partnerships necessary between local and state law enforcement agencies, district attorneys, businesses, and legislators in tackling the issue of retail theft that has plagued our communities for far too long without accountability."

Chief Alex Ghazalpour, Arvin Police Department, Kern County: "I wholeheartedly support Governor Newsom's legislation to crack down on property crime, which is vital for small cities like ours. This legislation's tough new penalties for repeat offenders and enhanced tools for felony prosecutions will make a tangible difference in our community. When we all work together toward the same goal-protecting our neighborhoods and holding criminal enterprises accountable-our community's benefit. This bipartisan effort sends a clear message that safety and justice are priorities in California, and I'm confident it will lead to safer cities throughout this great state."

District Attorney Jeff Rosen, Santa Clara County: "We need to send a message to families that they can go shopping safely. We need to send a message to businesses that being invaded is not just the cost of doing business in 2024. We need to send a strong signal to Organized Retail Theft gangs that the cost of doing their dirty and extremely dangerous business has grown exponentially - to handcuffs and prison."

Local elected officials

Mayor Darrell Steinberg, City of Sacramento: "We can hold retail theft perpetrators fully accountable while not going backwards. I fully support Governor Newsom's initiative to crack down on retail crime and property theft. This proactive approach is crucial for ensuring the safety of our businesses and communities."

Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson, City of Riverside: "I appreciate the Governor's and legislature's support in taking action against the rise in retail and property crime. We cannot have prosperity without public safety. These laws will ensure that our businesses and residents can thrive knowing that criminals will be held accountable."

Mayor Farrah Khan, City of Irvine: "As the second largest city in Orange County, Irvine has faced its share of challenges with retail and property theft. I fully support the Governor's decision to sign this landmark legislative package targeting retail crime and property theft. It is essential that we provide our police department with the necessary tools and resources to safeguard our community effectively. These bills create strict penalties for individuals involved in retail and property theft, bolster existing laws to ensure police can arrest retail theft suspects with probable cause even if they didn't witness a crime in progress, permit the aggregation of stolen goods, and create new penalties for criminals who damage businesses and property in the course of theft."

Mayor Todd Gloria, Chair of the California Big City Mayors Coalition: "These new laws are going to help disrupt criminal enterprises and protect businesses, workers, and communities. As I said in my 2024 State of the City address, we should be locking up criminals, not laundry detergent. I thank the Governor and Legislature for taking action to combat these crimes occurring throughout our state. Organized retail theft is a significant trend that must be reversed."

Supervisor Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County: "I extend my deepest thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom for signing a landmark bipartisan legislative package aimed at addressing and curbing property and organized retail crime. This pivotal action enhances the $15 million dollars provided to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department by the Governor to safeguard our communities and businesses from the devastating impacts of organized theft. These additional measures will not only support law enforcement efforts but also victims, many of them shopkeepers and retail workers, who work at the Nike Community Store in East Los Angeles and the Warehouse Shoe Sale in Highland Park - businesses which have been continuously hit by retail crime. I appreciate the leadership of lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly for taking swift action to make our state a safer place to live and work."

Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer, Vice Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors: "Stealing is wrong. These policies will crack-down on organized retail theft rings, protect our local businesses, and ensure consumer safety. They will prevent crime rings from selling stolen goods online and protect the small businesses owners I represent. On behalf of my constituents, many thanks to Governor Gavin Newsom and the Legislators for being tough on crime."

Supervisor Luis Alejo, Monterey County: "I applaud Governor Newsom for his leadership and commitment to public safety by signing the Retail Theft Package. Providing tougher penalties for repeat offenders and organized retail crime, provides our local businesses with the support they deserve and meaningful accountability for those responsible."

Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: "The bipartisan approach brought forward by legislators and signed by Governor Newsom is one that proportionately addresses the threats to our collective safety by strengthening penalties for organized retail theft and the sale of dangerous, addictive and often lethal substances. This is a forward-thinking approach to issues that impact all Californians and shows that we have learned the lessons of failed mass incarceration and the misguided war on drugs."

Supervisor Joe Baca, San Bernardino County: "I commend the Governor and the legislature for their leadership to address statewide retail theft and property crime. These laws will ensure our law enforcement agencies and justice system have the necessary tools to hold criminals accountable. In the County of San Bernardino, we will continue to work diligently to protect businesses and keep our residents safe."

Supervisor Felipe Hernandez, Vice Chair of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: "I fully support statewide efforts to combat retail theft and organized crime, and I am grateful to our Governor, Speaker Robert Rivas, and the legislators for standing up for Watsonville and Santa Cruz County businesses and law enforcement. To protect our vibrant communities, we need strong laws that empower our local law enforcement and prosecutors to hold criminals accountable for property crime and retail theft."

Supervisor Kelly Long, Chair of Ventura County Board of Supervisors: "I support statewide efforts targeting retail theft and organized crime and appreciate our legislators in advocating for our local businesses and law enforcement. We need robust laws to better assist law enforcement and prosecutors in safeguarding communities and holding criminals accountable."

Mayor Randy Rowse, City of Santa Barbara: "I am pleased that the Governor has recognized our current situation and is taking these proactive stances. While the retail industry has been wounded, so have communities that have lost retailers small and large due to the previous legislation that robbed many of the protections that taxpayers count on. As we move forward, the Governor's anti-crime package will yield immediate dividends and begin the journey back to the community standards we all expect and deserve."

Mayor Gil Hurtado, City of South Gate: "Our hard working business owners struggle enough without having to deal with individuals who have found it too easy to get away with crime. They've been asking for help and now they have it. Thank you to the bipartisan group of leaders and stakeholders who worked with our governor to make this happen. Thank you Governor Newsom for your leadership."

Mayor Thomas Wong, City of Monterey Park: "I applaud the Governor's and Legislature's actions to urgently address the rise in retail and property crime impacting our communities. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our regional and state partners to ensure the safety of our community and to support our local economy."

Mayor Ulises Cabrera, City of Moreno Valley: "I applaud the Governor and the legislature for acting with urgency to combat retail theft and property crime. These new laws send a clear message that perpetrators will be held accountable and face consequences for their actions. California continues leading the way through forward thinking policies that make our communities safer."

Councilmember Nelson Esparza, City of Fresno: "I deeply appreciate Governor Newsom's initiative to tackle retail theft and property crimes. This legislative package provides much-needed support to business owners, customers and communities in the Central Valley and across California. It sends a powerful message of accountability, reassuring businesses and individuals alike that California is committed to their safety and well-being."

News What you need to know: On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom highlighted the state's efforts to address the opioid crisis, which include public education campaigns, harm reduction...

News What you need to know: California's Wildfire Prevention Grants Program has enabled over 450 wildfire resilience projects in the last five years that focus on increasing the protection of people, structures, communities and the environment. SACRAMENTO - As part of...

News What you need to know: Since the $20 an hour minimum wage law went into effect, California has added 11,000 new fast food jobs. As of July, California now has 750,500 fast food jobs - the most in state history. SACRAMENTO - According to new state and federal...