SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Law enforcement across California have been actively fighting retail theft, and on Monday, Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the successes of the state's public safety plan. However, senate Republicans say there are still a lot of unanswered questions.
Last September, $267 million in grants were awarded to law enforcement agencies throughout the state with the purpose of helping them fight retail theft. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office and Roseville Police Department were recipients of that grant.
Now, a year later, Governor Newsom said it's been successful with 10,138 arrests. This comes just two months after he signed a package of bills to address organized retail theft, supported by the California Retailer's Association. The governor also added this was about much more than just combating retail theft.
"Getting guns off the street. This is about getting illegal cars back in the possession of the rightful owners. This is about sideshows, which they've been cracking down on," Gov. Newsom said.
The governor also said there was a 94% increase in applications to work for the CHP when compared to January 2022. Republican Senator Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) said while these efforts are commendable, the results still don't say it's been a success.
"We wouldn't still have a mass of retailers that have shaving cream behind lock and key. I mean, it has to still be a problem," Sen. Niello said.
Senator Niello also said he believes Proposition 36 would help district attorneys prosecute those responsible for crimes like retail theft, however Governor Newsom said he hopes voters read the measure and believes it's a drug reform policy.
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