The impacts of the controversial Proposition 47

Changes to Proposition 47 could be on the ballot this November, as Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom pushes a new gun control initiative. However, there’s still much to debate over the impact of Prop 47, which was passed by voters nearly two years ago.

According to Monterey County Sheriff Steve Bernal, many of the suspects busted in the Toro Park and Las Palmas break-in spree were on felony probation or parole.

“Thanks to Prop 47, they know going into an unlocked car is a misdemeanor,” Bernal said. “They’re fully aware of that.”

Prop 47, also known as “Safe Neighborhoods and Schools,” reclassified several non-serious, nonviolent crimes from felonies to misdemeanors for certain offenders. Crimes like shoplifting, grand theft, forgery and fraud, all where the value did not exceed $950, were included in the reclassification. Use of most illegal drugs were reclassified also.

While Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin supports treatment and diversion programs, he says he sees cracks in the system.

“Pretty sophisticated criminals are gaming that system,” McMillin said. “They’re not breaking into cars, they know that’s a felony. They’re going into unlocked cars because that’s misdemeanor conduct.”

The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office says felony filings were down by a third last year, but the misdemeanor failure to appear rate was up by nearly half.

Prop 47 supporter Gavin Newsom told KION he knows there are problems with the initiative and that it needs some modifying.

“I actually have a ballot initiative that modifies Proposition 47, so we’re actually putting it on the ballot,” Newsom said. “Specifically related to the issues of gun possession. So, there are issues in 47 that we need to look at. I’m intimately aware of those concerns. I think it was principal that the overwhelming majority of voters supported moving to a new direction on lower end crimes. That said, I’m not ideological about it, so much so that we actually put an initiative to make a quick adjustment to Prop 47.”

The gun issue he’s spoken about would make all gun thefts felonies, regardless of the value of the gun.

“I fully support treatment for low level offenders, I fully support diversion for young kids who make mistakes and shouldn’t be integrated to the criminal justice system,” McMillin said. “There’s going to be bumps along the road. We’re seeing those bumps now. I hope that as we, as a society, progress through this. We are courageous enough to learn lessons and reel some of the things back and modify them in a way that’s more effective.”

Despite the challenges, there have been triumphs.

Melissa Mata is a counselor with Pueblo Del Mar, a transitional housing facility for families in recovery at the Nancy Dodd Community Center in Marina. She says the people she has helped navigate through the Prop 47 process are grateful for the second chance.

“Prop 47 has given our residents an opportunity after the mistakes of their past, an opportunity to clean up the wreckage of their past and open up doors for potential employment, possible housing aspects once they depart Pueblo Del Mar,” Mata said.

As someone who is in recovery herself, she knows the help of rehabilitation. She said she encourages all critics to come and hear their stories of success.