Thanks to Prop 47 California crime trend defies overall national drop in crime

Local crime rates, arrests and arraignments of repeat offenders and local bail agents agree with this article and the detrimental effects of Prop 47.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/14/police-blame-sentencing-overhaul-for-increase-in-california-crime.html

Excerpt 1:

California communities may be feeling the fallout from a controversial measure that reduced penalties for a range of crimes, as law enforcement report an uptick in everything from robberies to auto theft – and point the finger squarely at what’s known as Prop 47.

Excerpt 2:

The measure was approved at the ballot box in 2014 and downgraded many nonviolent offenses like property crimes and simple drug offenses from felonies to misdemeanors, part of an effort to reduce prison over-crowding in the state.

But as the measure has been implemented, several police departments have reported a spike in shop-lifting and auto theft, among other crimes, and in part blame Prop 47.

"In the past year and a half, we've seen an increase in theft-related crimes, including robbery, burglary, and identity theft," said Sgt. Tasha Descosta, with the Hayward Police Department.

Since the law went into effect, major cities have seen an increase in more serious crimes as well.

Recent press reports show that in San Francisco, robberies are up 23 percent; in Los Angeles, violent crimes are up 20 percent; and in Sacramento, homicides are up 23 percent.

Excerpt 3:

But in many parts of the Golden State, robbery and other property crimes are up. Big cities like Los Angeles and Sacramento are also reporting an uptick in violent crime this year over last year, including homicides. Critics say while much of the country has seen a drop in overall crime rates, the data in California defies the national trend.

While supporters say studies show only a small percentage of freed inmates have returned to prison, police maintain the law's leniency makes their job tougher.

"Proposition 47 is working if the only thing we're measuring is how many people are incarcerated," said Sylvia Moir, outgoing police chief in El Cerrito, Calif. "Like how many empty jail beds. Thousands fewer people in our state prisons -- it's working. But if you say, 'is Prop 47 working for communities,' I would say no, it is not.'"

And this month, the California Bail Agents Association called on lawmakers to analyze recent crime data and "to at least attempt to understand the underlying causes," association president Maggie Kreins wrote in a recent op-ed. "We spend millions of taxpayer dollars on police, law enforcement, and our criminal justice system. California citizens expect to be kept safe."