Local law enforcement get ready for Proposition 47

A big switch in the arrest and sentencing laws is leaving local law enforcement agencies scrambling. Tuesday, voters passed Proposition 47, an initiative that reduces penalties for drug possession and other non-violent crimes. In the two days since Prop. 47 passed, already Monterey County law enforcement leaders from the sheriff to the district attorney have met to try and figure out how this is going to affect crime.

“The main question we get from our officers, do we cite and release the person? Or do we take them to jail?” said Commander John Thornburg with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

Thornburg said Prop 47 has an effect long before sentencing. He said the biggest change in Monterey County with be with theft crimes.

“Now they have created this shoplifting section where somebody plans to go in instead of burglary it’s shoplifting so it has made that into a misdemeanor,” said Thornburg.

This is something the Santa Cruz Police Department, already dealing with a revolving door of criminals, is worried about. Officers said repeat offenders steal to pay for their drug habit, and now that the penalty is lower, they may be more willing to steal from small business.

San Benito County sheriff, Hollister police chief, district attorney, and probation chief also had an emergency meeting. They said what you may not know about Prop. 47 is possession of a date rape drug is now a misdemeanor, and possession of a stolen firearm under $950 or less is also a misdemeanor.

“If they go to county jail, the bail is lower. A standard misdemeanor bail at the Monterey County jail is $5,000 as oppose to say $20,000 or $25,000 for a felony,” said Thornburg.

County jail inmates currently serving time on a felony charge now can request their crime be downgraded to a misdemeanor, so they can get out sooner.

Local law enforcement agencies are working to educate their officers, and bring them up to speed because Prop. 47 will change the way they police.