By SDCN Editor
Sacramento, CA–Governor Gavin Newsom signed bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime and retail theft in California.
The bills establish new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.
In January, Newsom called on lawmakers from both sides to enact robust laws to assist law enforcement and prosecutors in safeguarding communities and holding criminals accountable. On Friday, Newsom signed 10 new public safety laws to strengthen the state’s existing law enforcement tools and protect Californians.
“Let’s be clear, this is the most significant legislation to address property crime in modern California history. I thank the bipartisan group of lawmakers, our retail partners, and advocates for putting public safety over politics,” said Governor Newsom.
The laws offer new tools to bolster ongoing efforts to hold criminals accountable for their crimes. While California’s crime rate remains near historic lows, these laws help the state adapt to evolving criminal tactics to ensure perpetrators are effectively held accountable.
“A promise made is a promise kept — we’re taking bipartisan action to make our communities safer and stronger,” said Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire. “These ten critical bills will crack down on retail theft, blunt local crime, and help our downtowns thrive for decades to come.”
The law equips law enforcement and prosecutors with tools to arrest and charge suspects involved in organized retail crime, with penalties including up to three years in jail for organized retail theft. Prosecutors can charge suspects with a felony for thefts exceeding $950.
The signing includes the enactment of the following measures that will help strengthen the state’s existing laws:
AB 1779 by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin – Theft: jurisdiction
AB 1802 by Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer —Crimes: organized theft
AB 1972 by Assemblymember Juan Alanis — Regional Property Crimes Task force
AB 2943 by Assemblymember Rick Chavez Zbur and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas — Crimes: shoplifting
AB 3209 by Assemblymember Marc Berman — Crimes: theft: retail theft restraining orders
SB 905 by Senator Scott Wiener – Crimes: theft from a vehicle
SB 982 by Senator Aisha Wahab — Crimes: organized theft
SB 1144 by Senator Nancy Skinner — Marketplaces: online marketplaces
SB 1242 by Senator Dave Min — Crimes: fires
SB 1416 by Senator Josh Newman — Sentencing enhancements: sale, exchange, or return of stolen property
The governor is also expected to soon sign AB 1960 by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas.
Last year, the California Highway Patrol reported an annual 310% increase in proactive operations targeting organized retail crime, and special operations across the state to fight crime and improve public safety. In January, CHP’s Organized Retail Crime Task Force was on track to surpass the work in 2023, making 884 arrests and recovering a quarter of a million stolen goods valued at over $7.2 million.
