Californians for Safer Communities Coalition announced Thursday in San Diego it will submit over 900,000 voter signatures to qualify the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act for the November general election ballot.
Small business owners, fentanyl victims, social justice leaders, community organizations and elected officials held press conferences across the state Thursday to announce the signature turn-in. To qualify the measure for the November ballot, the law requires 546,651 valid signatures.
"This is a balanced, commonsense initiative that addresses the fentanyl crisis by going after drug dealers who are killing our loved ones and imposes stronger penalties for repeat offenders of organized retail theft, which is hurting far too many families and local businesses," San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement.
"We need responsible reform that allows judges to incentivize lifesaving treatment for those struggling with severe addiction, holds repeat offenders accountable but also gives first, second, and even third chances for those who commit theft or possess hard drugs to be treated for addiction or mental illness. Voters should have the opportunity to debate and weigh in on this important initiative."
Stephan said after a third arrest, people will have to either choose treatment, or go to jail.
But an analysis of 116 studies published by the University of Chicago in 2021 finds it might not be that simple. The analysis shows incarceration does not deter people from committing future crimes and in fact, incarceration for short periods can actually make someone more likely to be arrested and commit more crimes.
The mayors of Carlsbad, Vista, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Escondido, Coronado, Chula Vista, National City, Oceanside, Poway, El Cajon, La Mesa and Santee all supported the signature-gathering effort.
The initiative focuses on accountability measures for repeat offenders of theft and drug traffickers of drugs like fentanyl, while incentivizing and encouraging more individuals to participate in and complete drug treatment programs, according to the group, which said the measure creates a deterrent for repeat offenders and redirects addicts towards treatment rather than incarceration.
Passed in 2014, Prop. 47 achieved success in making California's criminal justice system more equitable. However, according to the coalition, it led to unintended consequences over the past decade — repeat and often organized retail theft, inner-city store closings, and difficulty convincing people to seek drug and mental health treatment.
At a Thursday news conference, Stephan said that drug addiction was a major cause of homelessness. She said the proposed measure would therefore lower homelessness because it would force people to get treatment.
"It is time for meaningful reforms to our justice system, including to Prop. 47, that ensure our communities are safe," Californians for Safer Communities said in a release.
But Tyler Renner, of People Assisting The Homeless (PATH), said drug addiction is not the underlying cause of homelessness.
“There’s so much research and evidence and data to show that it is because of the lack of housing. This issue intersects with substance use and mental illness, but it is not the main driver or the cause," Renner said.
According to the coalition, the proposed ballot measure will:
— Hold those who are committing repeated retail theft and fentanyl sales crimes accountable, for the safety and health of our communities;
— Create accountability for repeat smash-and-grab offenders who are driving up costs for all Californians and chasing retailers out of state; and
— Bring back incentives and accountability that are needed for individuals to get into necessary drug treatment and job training programs — helping them begin new lives. People arrested multiple times for hard drug use currently have no incentive to choose treatment with no consequences, the group said.
